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Abstract The present study is designed as a descriptive cross- sectional one, was carried on a convenience sample of 87 nurses working in Emergency Care Units of Ismailia University Hospital, Port Said General Hospital, Al-Soliman Private Hospital, and Omar Ebn-Elkhatab Private Hospital. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practice of emergency nurses regarding infection control in emergency care units in public and private hospitals. Nurses’ knowledge and performance were significantly influenced by their age, hospital of work, previous training in infection control, presence of hospital infection control regulations for emergency department, availability of personal protective equipment, and application of infection control regulations. Nurses’ observed performance scores and their reported practices and their knowledge were significantly inter-related. It is concluded that nurses in the emergency departments lack knowledge and performance regarding infection control, and this is related to lack of facilities, shortage of staff, overcrowding and patient load. Therefore, the work environment seems to lack safety and security, which is negatively reflected on nurses’ knowledge and performance. |