Short-Term Treatment in a General Hospital Following a Suicide Attempt

124 patients (1874) were seen in an emergency room of a general hospital in israel. After initial psychiatric examinations, 110 patients were admitted to internal medicine or surgical wards. Upon further observation 30% were taken to pschiatric hospitals. No attempts ocurred during hospitalization. The usefulness of short hospitalization to separate the patient from his traumaic environment is emphasized. Also discussed is the value of short-term psychiatric treatment follow a suicide attempt.