Aromatherapy

Nursing Students Student Assist

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I am presenting a project for my BSN on the use of aromatherapy in the healthcare setting. Has any ever personally helped implement aromatherapy in your area or know someone who has? I have to find someone to interview and it has to be someone that was directly involved in the implementation.

Thanks in advance!

Brooke

Specializes in ICU, trauma.
Nobody's judging. The problem is when someone's choice if complementary treatment modality infringes on others' right to breathe. Breathing needs to win.

it's not as potent as you might think. We have a list of 2-3 approved scents that can help with nausea, pain, stress, etc. We put a few drops on a cotton ball and put it in a ziploc bag. Honestly, you can't even smell it unless directly in front of your face.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
it's not as potent as you might think. We have a list of 2-3 approved scents that can help with nausea, pain, stress, etc. We put a few drops on a cotton ball and put it in a ziploc bag. Honestly, you can't even smell it unless directly in front of your face.

I'm very familiar with aromatherapy. And yes, it can and has triggered severe asthma attacks in coworkers on our unit. And really, do you think "It will probably be fine" is a good response when we're talking about serious and/or life-threatening sensitivities? Aromatherapy is not the only treatment modality out there. Is it really such a sacrifice to tell people "No, I'm sorry, no scents"?

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it's not as potent as you might think. We have a list of 2-3 approved scents that can help with nausea, pain, stress, etc. We put a few drops on a cotton ball and put it in a ziploc bag. Honestly, you can't even smell it unless directly in front of your face.

That's great that OP has found her project person!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
That's great that OP has found her project person!

You are on FIRE this morning.

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You are on FIRE this morning.

I don't understand. I am genuinely happy.

(love ya, klone)

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Specializes in ER.
Nobody's judging. The problem is when someone's choice if complementary treatment modality infringes on others' right to breathe. Breathing needs to win.

50% of my post was tongue in cheek...

The other 50% was acknowledging that aromatherapy might be as efficacious as the other treatment modalities I mentioned.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

We used it in LTACH all the time. Lavender, chamomile, peppermint, a few others. It really helped with relaxation and restoration of smell sensation after prolonged vents, which, in turn, helped with anorexia and food aversion these patients frequently have.

We had several nurses with asthma, including myself, and the unspoken law was that if a nurse came to station and told charge that he/she couldn't stay the smell, the assignment was silently and quickly re-worked. It rarely happened, though, as the way we used the oils was a smear or two by a roller on piece of foam placed right under patient's nose.

Over the years, I only once had bad full-blown attack because the jar of peppermint oil was deliberately sprayed all over the room. Getting a flare up because the visitors were reeking like tobacco barn was way more realistic.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

The massage therapist at my old hospital incorporated essential oils into her massage practice. Physicians/NPs/PAs could order massage therapy in the same way that they could order physical therapy or speech therapy. Sorry, I'm not able to get you in touch with her, but trying to find a massage therapist who works in a hospital might be a good lead for you.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
We have some patients in the ICU with a private room that have started to use the diffusers, but it is not that common and is usually per request and okayed by the team. We even have people who specialize in this area and are consulted first. I do not know if it is effective as most of the patients are intubated/sedated, but you never know.

Yes we have had that with a few patients as well, but one dad didn't know how much the mom usually put in the diffuser, so he poured in about half a bottle of the oil and stank up the entire unit with patchouli. :grumpy:

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
it's not as potent as you might think. We have a list of 2-3 approved scents that can help with nausea, pain, stress, etc. We put a few drops on a cotton ball and put it in a ziploc bag. Honestly, you can't even smell it unless directly in front of your face.

2-3 drops on the inside of a mask is also very welcome by most staff when dealing with a code brown. :snurse:

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Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

Our psych unit did try aromatherapy only on pts willing with nurses willing. Scents were barely there and same pts also given soothing teas ( pending not interactions with medications. I am not sure how long they did it or the results though since I don't work there. I do float there from time to time and heard the nurses talk about it. I know they talked about all kinds of consents, etc though.

But I know when I personally go to work I make sure I use Ivory soap, unscented hygiene products and my uniforms get washed in scent free laundry soaps. I am careful to not only look out for any pts with sensitivities but respectful of potential co-workers as well.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
Good cultural sensitivity on their part!

It's important to acknowledge, tolerate, and include diversity in beliefs and worldviews.

I was taught that gypsies value a container of soil beneath a patients bed. Some Asian cultural value cupping, and consider hot and cold important. Who are we to judge?

I think the difference is cupping or warm drinking water doesn't affect staff; strong aromas can as in the case of prior posters

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