Essential oils in hospitals

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I have issues with other nurses on my floor using copious amounts of oils to where you can smell out which direction they went 5 mins after they left! Our hospital has a low/no fragrance policy but since so many people (including managers) are supporters its not enforced. I have headaches at work from the strong smell. I feel like I have no support because it's considered 'medicinal'. Help!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Didn't we just have a thread about this?

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Didn't we just have a thread about this?

The one I found was from '14. Im just curious about others thoughts.

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Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.

There was a more recent thread, but I can't seem to find it. However, you might want to peruse this thread from last year

https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/aromatherapy-1135406.html

ETA: Here is the more recent thread:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/essential-oil-overkill-1149909.html

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

We are a scent-free facility and everyone takes it very seriously. We have several employees who have anaphylactic scent allergies.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
I have issues with other nurses on my floor using copious amounts of oils to where you can smell out which direction they went 5 mins after they left! Our hospital has a low/no fragrance policy but since so many people (including managers) are supporters its not enforced. I have headaches at work from the strong smell. I feel like I have no support because it's considered 'medicinal'. Help!

Essential oils cannot be applied by a nurse in my state because our BON frowns upon me administering anything off-label, anything that hasn't been through a clinical trial, etc.

So, from that aspect, it's simple. Are the essential oils being applied to a patient? Or put in a diffuser in the nurses' station or someone's office?

At any rate, if your environment is making you sick you should probably go to employee health. Good luck!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I thought essential oils are considered "cosmetics" which keeps them outside the FDA regulation other than saying they are generally safe to apply...thus are not considered "medicinal" other than by those selling them; along with the customer testimonies.

My Sweet Petunia has a couple of these miniature electric boiling cauldrons in the house for "aerosolizing" essential oils; I forgot what they are called. I think the most recent scent she is using is "Peace and Harmony."

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I have issues with other nurses on my floor using copious amounts of oils to where you can smell out which direction they went 5 mins after they left! Our hospital has a low/no fragrance policy but since so many people (including managers) are supporters its not enforced. I have headaches at work from the strong smell. I feel like I have no support because it's considered 'medicinal'. Help!

Remind them of the facilities policy. If it doesnt cease file a complaint with the DON and HR.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
My Sweet Petunia has a couple of these miniature electric boiling cauldrons in the house for "aerosolizing" essential oils; I forgot what they are called. I think the most recent scent she is using is "Peace and Harmony."

Just wondering how that's working out for you, and hoping Davey Do comes up with a funny....

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Just wondering how that's working out for you, and hoping Davey Do comes up with a funny....

As long as I make sure she's happy, there is Peace and Harmony at home, so I don't think it's dependent on the particular boiling cauldron scent at the time.:happy:

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Specializes in HIV.

I have ran into a few nurses who overdo the oils. I don't mind it, because I'm not sensitive to it, and I love the smell of them.

That being said, I WILL apply a drop or two of peppermint oil to my nose before cleaning some incontinent c-diff mess that just happened all over the bed. I will not subject myself to that without peppermint. Nope.

The deodorizers my hospital provides are a joke, if they are ever stocked.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
My Sweet Petunia has a couple of these miniature electric boiling cauldrons in the house for "aerosolizing" essential oils; I forgot what they are called.

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