Does aromatization of medical facilities influence patient behavior and emotions? Will scent alleviate the unpleasant experience of hospital stays? What benefits does scent bring to dental offices, medical rooms, hospitals, and therapy centers?
Different areas of healthcare facilities are characterized by distinct and less-than-subtle aromas. For most locations, these odors are often accidental, unforeseen, and even undesirable. Odors affect not only patients but also healthcare workers. Aromatherapy is an easy and cost-effective
way to alleviate unpleasant experiences associated with medical facilities .
Positive associations
What do we associate with the hospital? The smell of disinfectants, so unpopular and automatically evoking thoughts of doctors, dentists, and painful procedures. This often dredges up bad memories, which in turn trigger anxiety, worry, and fear of recurrence. Scenting the surface eliminates existing unpleasant connotations. A wide range of blends allows you to tailor a scent to any complex. Some fragrances contain fresh and cheerful citrus oils or calming rose and lavender.
Friendly atmosphere
Scent should greet patients from the moment they enter. This creates a positive first impression and creates a patient-friendly environment.
Health benefits
Many essential oils have outstanding antibacterial and antiviral properties that will help stop the spread of germs.
Stress relief
Scents will calm patients' nerves and help them recover faster. Relaxing scents are suitable for calming patients in stressful situations caused by anxiety before surgery, in dental offices, and in blood-drawing laboratories. Vanilla and lavender are recommended.
Shorter wait
In scented rooms, patients feel like they're waiting for a shorter time than they actually are. This solution is especially useful when dealing with long lines in waiting rooms and treatment rooms.
Cleanliness and hygiene
Patients coming to a healthcare facility expect to find a clean and hygienic environment, free from any unpleasant odors. Conventional air fresheners are unsuitable because the surfaces to be freshened are large. Supplying them is expensive. Furthermore, air fresheners mask unpleasant odors, not eliminate them. It's much more cost-effective to scent surfaces with pure essential oils, which actually eliminate unpleasant odors.
Examples of the use of scent in medical facilities
Vanderbilt University Medical Center used aromatherapy to calm doctors and nurses' nerves, reduce their stress, increase their energy levels, and improve their mood. In comparison, it was shown that:
- Before using essential oils, 41% of employees were stressed; after applying the oils, only 3% were stressed,
- Before using the oils, 60% of the crew were frustrated; after applying the fragrance, only 6%.
Smells are being used by an Australian university to support the diagnosis of several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Odor neutralizers can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors. Eucalyptus is particularly effective due to its antibacterial properties.
