The purpose of this study was to explore some of the possibilities of getting information about mental and behavior disorders using the Internet, specifically at the Ministry of Health's DATASUS website. The site presented elements that illustrate the Health Information Systems' resources, which may be used by nurses as a safe and simplified way of obtaining data. The study focused on psychiatric hospitalization through the SIH-SUS in the city of Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo. Given the nurses' needs to use technological resources that can contribute for the organization of the service and the analysis of the situation of the mental and behavior disorders, SIH-SUS data are a possible instrument to start the analysis whose results may make possible important and effective changes for the management of the services, in search for quality in mental and psychiatric health assistance.
Psychiatric nursing; Mental health; Hospital information system
