Nurses’ knowledge of infection control

Abstract

The article is based on a research study examining infection control in nurse education and practice. A survey of a large population was carried out to establish the perceived importance of microbiological knowledge to nurses and to ascertain whether this knowledge was present. The results suggest that although microbiological knowledge is considered necessary for safe infection control practice, nurses' actual knowledge falls far short of the level required for 'informed' practice. What this implies in relation to patient care, and recommendations regarding education and practice, are discussed.