[DESCRIPTION OF MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALIZATION IN A MONOVALENT INSTITUTION IN THE CITY OF BAHÍA BLANCA, ARGENTINA.]

This article aims at describing the number of individuals who used the private psychiatric emergency service and hospitalization in the city of Bahía Blanca in 2007-2015. A descriptive-quantitative-observational study was performed using primary sources for data collection. The following documents were analyzed at Clínica Privada Bahiense (CPB): 1) 2007-2015 hospitalization records; 2) referrals to psychiatric emergency service from 01/07/2014 to 31/05/2015; 3) psychiatric hospitalization diagnosis from 01/07/2014 to 31/05/2015 as well as the characteristics thereof. During this last period, 1154 patients were referred to the psychiatric emergency service and 485 were hospitalized. The total re-hospitalization percentage was 20%, taking into account that a total of 485 patients were hospitalized. With regard to the hospitalized patients, the male/female ratio was 1:1.35 and with regard to the number of hospitalizations the male/female ratio was similar: 1:1.28. This paper has the weaknesses inherent to a retrospective work. Regarding strengths, psychiatric emergency data systematization and private sector hospitalization frequency can be highlighted. As a conclusion, the following questions arise: Is it possible to eliminate mental houses in our city?, Where will the monthly average of 40 hospitalized patients be treated?, Are there support networks and contention programs for the people with mental suffering? Have social reinsertion projects been developed?