Rethinking Indicators of Mental Health Inpatient Care in General Hospitals: A Perspective From Argentina

Psychiatric wards and beds within general hospitals are commonly used to assess mental health reform or deinstitutionalization. On the basis of their analysis of mental health inpatient care (MHIC) in Argentina, the authors raise concerns about the relevance of these indicators. MHIC shows substantial variability in ward types and care models nationwide, prompting debate about the most appropriate service configurations. In addition to structural indicators, reform monitoring should include human rights-based indicators. This approach would help identify critical distinctions between MHIC provided in psychiatric wards and that offered in other ward types within general hospitals.