X-ray and neutron scattering

Abstract:

Objective

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of robust infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices to maintain patient and staff safety. However, healthcare workers (HCWs) face many barriers that affect their ability to follow these practices. We identified barriers affecting HCW adherence to IPAC practices during the pandemic in British Columbia, Canada.

Design

Cross-sectional web-based survey.

Setting

Acute care, long-term care or assisted living, outpatient, mental health, prehospital care, and home care.

Participants

Eligible respondents included direct-care providers and IPAC professionals working in these settings in all health authorities across British Columbia.

Methods

We conducted a web-based survey from August to September 2021 to assess respondent knowledge and attitudes toward IPAC within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents were asked to rate the extent to which various barriers affected their ability to follow IPAC practices throughout the pandemic and to make suggestions for improvement.

Results

The final analysis included 2,488 responses; 36% of respondents worked in acute care. Overall, perceptions of IPAC practice among non-IPAC professionals were positive. The main self-perceived barriers to adherence included inadequate staffing to cover absences (58%), limited space in staff rooms (57%), multibed rooms (51%), and confusing messages about IPAC practices (51%). Common suggestions for improvement included receiving more support from IPAC leadership and clearer communication about required IPAC practices.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight frontline HCW perspectives regarding priority areas of improvement for IPAC practices. They will inform policy and guideline development to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and future emerging infections.

Abstract:

The structural knowledge of metal-organic frameworks is crucial to the understanding and development of new efficient materials for industrial implementation. This review classifies and discusses recent advanced literature reports on phase transitions that occur during thermal treatments on metal-organic frameworks and their characterisation. Thermally activated phase transitions and procceses are classified according to the temperaturatures at which they occur: high temperature (reversible and non-reversible) and low temperature. In addition, theoretical calculations and modelling approaches employed to better understand these structural phase transitions are also reviewed.