Aromatherapy Interventions for Patient Discomfort: A Cost-Benefit Report For Nurse and Healthcare Leaders

Prevalent across units, burdensome to recovery as well as hospital resources, and acutely disliked by patients: nausea-related discomfort is considered a particularly pernicious issue in the clinical setting. Calculating the financial toll of nausea and vomiting is complex and varies from hospital to hospital, but we generally observe that several consequences of failing to control nausea and vomiting, namely unanticipated readmissions, protracted care needs, increases in staff time, and unfavorable patient survey scores, contribute to these increases. The rise of integrative care solutions, specifically the use of inhaled aromatherapy interventions, may offer an effective strategy to healthcare leaders striving to improve their facility’s care outcomes while managing costs.

This report examines inhaled aromatherapy as an emerging complementary practice in nursing, and how it can help facilitate better patient, performance, and economic outcomes, by:

• Improving patient satisfaction rates and perceptions of care
• Reducing risks caused by errors or medication interactions
• Reducing the length of stay and readmissions
• Maximizing efficiency so that nurses can preserve their time, focus, and wellbeing
• Integrating easily into existing treatment strategies

This report is authored by Soothing Scents Inc., the manufacturer of QueaseEASE, a non-pharmacological aromatherapy intervention to manage sensations associated with patient nausea and vomiting.