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Background: Nosocomial infections are a serious problem. Increasing prevalence of multidrug- resistant bacteria threaten patient safety. Such infections can be prevented through systematic implementation of basic infection control measures. Studies show that nurses may not have sufficient knowledge of multi-resistant bacteria and infection control. Objective: Investigate nurses› self-reported knowledge and behaviour towards patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria, and emotional response towards caring for these patients and compare answers from nurses working in infection wards and other medical wards. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study based on the Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire (MDRB AQ). The questionnaires were distributed to 237 nurses working in seven medical departments of two hospitals. Data from 107 returned questionnaires are included in analyses (response rate 45.1%). The study compares responses from nurses working in infection wards (N=31) to responses from nurses working in other medical wards (N=76). Results: Nurses working in infection wards scored significantly higher on knowledge questions about multi-resistant bacteria, and reported significantly greater emotional response than did nurses from other medical wards. All nurses scored high on self-reported behaviour. Conclusions: Knowledge may lead to increased competence and self-reported confidence. Nurses responding in this study knew the protective measures when caring for patients with multidrug- resistant bacteria, but the rationale was not known by all. Nurses have ample opportunities to reduce risk and prevalence of nosocomial infections.

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