Patients with psychiatric disorders are admitted to psychiatric units for evaluation and treatment in the acute phase of illness.

To perform a descriptive analysis of psychiatric hospitalization characteristics before (phase1) and after (phase2) the inclusion of the Rehabilitation Unit for Alcoholic Patients (RUAP).

A retrospective study with clinical and statistical data analysis of patients admitted to a general Psychiatric Hospital twelve months before and after the inclusion of RUAP.

The sample had 741 patients (376 males, 365 females). Hospitalization characteristics data is presented in table1.
Phase 1Phase 2Patients admitted to hospital (N)338403Patients gender admitted to hospital (N)170 males/168 females206 males/197 femalesAge (mean ± standard deviation) in years47±1546±14More frequent age group35–3935–39Average hospital stay (days)1516Mean occupancy rate (%)79.284.3More frequently assigned diagnosis (DSMIV)Affective psychosis (296)Alcoholic dependence syndrome NOS (303.9)More frequently assigned diagnosis (%)12.115.9Average hospital stay of more frequently assigned diagnosis1515[Hospitalization characteristics of phase 1 and 2]

Sample demographic characteristics were similar in both phases. Although mood disorders were the more prevalent diagnosis, after inclusion of RUAP, Alcoholic Dependence Syndrome became the most frequently assigned diagnosis. It is also relevant the higher mean occupancy rate and the higher number of patients admitted to the service. Patients social characteristics in phase 1 and 2 need further investigation.