Abstract
The study's purpose was to examine (a) bedside nurses' care practices when providing care to patients with dementia or those who are physically disabled and (b) the extent to which these actions vary by type of hospital, type of ward, and nurse's characteristics. The sample included 265 nurses in internal medicine and geriatric wards in 2 general hospitals in Israel. The results showed that the most prevalent practices were giving greater attention to these patients, locating them in a room near the nurses' station and asking family members to stay with the patient or to hire paid carers. Use of restraints was more prevalent in patients with dementia than those who were physically disabled. Use of specific practices significantly varied by type of ward and hospital, suggesting that nurses' care practices are more connected with organizational characteristics than other factors.