BACKGROUND: Patients who become carriers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are sometimes stigmatized by health professionals. Staff members' fears of becoming infected could affect their willingness to care for these patients.

METHODS:The purpose of this study was to increase the knowledge of what it means for staff in acute care settings and nursing homes to care for patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria. Assistant nurses, registered nurses, and physicians from acute care settings and nursing homes were interviewed. A modified version of Grounded Theory was used for the analysis.

RESULTS:The analysis resulted in the core category "to operate as an expert in a chaotic environment" in acute care settings. Despite a lack of resources, hospital staff try to provide the best possible care for patients with ESBL. The analysis of the interviews in the nursing homes resulted in the core category "the employee who, despite uncertainty, provides good care." Despite some fear, and a lack of knowledge, the study participants tried to provide the residents with good care.

CONCLUSION: Staff in acute care settings and nursing homes must have adequate knowledge and reasonable working conditions to be able to provide high-quality care for patients and residents who are ESBL carriers.