A Survey of Sustainability Efforts in Healthcare Simulation and Clinical Learning

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare contributes to sustainability challenges. Students learning new skills must use plastic supplies like the clinical setting, however, the accumulation of plastic waste in the simulated learning environment is extensive. In one semester, approximately 300 pounds of plastic intravenous tubing waste was accumulated in one nursing simulation education center. This project identified current sustainability practices of clinical simulation education centers in the United States. MethodsAn electronic survey was distributed to simulation-focused groups and associations from October 2020 to January 2021, resulting in 77 responses from 75 institutions. ResultsPolicies regarding reuse and recycling of supplies were identified. Other aspects of sustainability such as supply procurement, supply disposal, and student education/involvement were lacking. Few simulation centers have formal plans for sustainability or carbon neutrality. ConclusionSimulation waste reduction will improve downstream population and planetary health but must be balanced with student learning needs. Given reduced infection concern compared to medical centers, simulation could provide an arena to pilot new sustainable procurement, reuse, and waste management policies before implementation in high stakes patient care settings.