Background: Hospital acquired infections belong to the most important aspects of patient safety in Swedish healthcare. The problem is increasing and some ESBL producing bacteria have become resistant to virtually all antibiotics and constitute a severe threat to patient’s health. The tasks of nurses are in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to suggest and implement suitable infection control actions and to monitor compliance with these. Aim: The aim was to describe the prophylactic measures, and the effect of those, performed by nurses to control spread of ESBL producing GNB. Method: A general literature search was performed in PubMed and CINAHL databases to identify original articles published between 2012 and 2017. Results: The prophylactic measures demonstrated to prevent spread of ESBL are to always comply with basic hygiene routines where good hand hygiene is the most important one. In the case of more extensive spread, more comprehensive bundle care programs may become necessary. Actions such as surveillance cultures, prevention of contact spread, strict routines for hand hygiene, education of staff and inspections of compliance with hygiene routines, and more intense environmental cleaning and disinfection may become relevant. Knowledge of ESBL producing GNB and compliance with hygiene routines are sometimes insufficient among Swedish healthcare staff. Conclusion: Measures that need to be implemented to prevent spread of ESBL producing bacteria need to be decided on a case-by- case basis. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals and ensuring staff´s compliance with hygiene routines and guidelines through education and training are important factors for success.