Original Article Published at https://www.northfieldhospital.org/node/1555
Aromatherapy helps patients feel more at ease during a hospital visit, and more comfortable during medical procedures like chemotherapy.
“People are interested in options that enhance their health without more medical intervention,” says Juliana Sayner, a registered nurse in the Cancer Care & Infusion Center who led the introduction of aromatherapy at Northfield Hospital. “It’s empowering for patients to take an active step in their own care.”
Northfield Hospital began offering aromatherapy to patients in the Cancer Care and Infusion Center last summer. It’s been so well-received that several departments now offer it – from the Emergency Department to the Medical/Surgical floor to the Birth Center.
“It’s a nice way to care for the whole person – a comforting touch in addition to the medical care we provide,” Sayner says.
Aromatherapy uses the essential oils from plants to enhance the body’s functions. Chemotherapy patients are prone to queasiness, sleeplessness, and emotional stress. So Sayner and colleagues focus on scents to ease these conditions. They use aroma blends rather than individual scents, so patients don’t end up associating one scent with an unpleasant symptom.
Patients get a small patch to stick on their clothing fairly close to the face, for light aroma with each breath. The patch is good for eight hours; even after the scent fades, the essential oils are still active. Individually wrapped patches are simple for patients and staff to use – and convenient to take home. (The patches are also sold in the Kaleidoscope Gift Shop in the hospital lobby.)
Most patients (82%) said the patch helped with their symptoms; all patients said they’d use it again.
After all, a small touch can make a big difference.
A Note from Jodi Baglien - I am re-sharing this article on my page, because I strongly believe Aromatherapy can be and needs to be successfully implemented in HealthCare Institutions and Facilities for a better patient experience and general well-being. I have had the honor and privilege of doing this personally at many institutions in and around Minnesota. If you want to learn more, please feel free to contact me at jodibaglien.com
About this article: This article was re-posted by Jodi Baglien, from her blog on http://www.jodibaglien.com/about-jodi, during her time as an educator on TrailheadHealth.com. We thank her for his participation and expertize.
Jodi Baglien is bringing Aromatherapy into Healthcare. She is the first US Aromatherapist to provide the innovative Aromatherapy Inhalation Patch to hospitals, senior care facilities, and mental health providers. Jodi combines 16 years of experience as a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Educator, and Holistic Therapist. She delivers an evidence-based, compliant, and sustainable aromatherapy program to health care settings, both long and short-term. She has been training medical professionals on how to effectively use essential oils in order to provide non-pharmaceutical options to reduce stress, agitation, improve rest and reduce pain scores. Her programs have shown excellent results, with psychotropic medications in nursing homes, reducing by 35% on average. With a powerful mix of experience, compassion, and science-based research, Jodi offers a clear protocol within the best practices of professional aromatherapy. As a recognized wellness authority, she is dedicated to personalized consulting and wholehearted staff education.
To learn more about how Aromatherapy is making a difference in HealthCare institutions visit Jodi's page at http://www.jodibaglien.com/healthcare-programs/