Exploration of Aromatherapy in a Pediatric Outpatient Surgical Setting: A Pilot Study

Purpose: To explore whether an aromatherapy product, QueaseEASE, could be used to supplement standard postoperative nursing care for children experiencing discomfort from postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in a pediatric outpatient surgical setting.Design: Evidence-based practice project resulting in a prospective, descriptive research design.Methods: English-speaking pediatric outpatient surgical patients 8 to 17 years of age were evaluated for symptoms of discomfort during the postoperative phase of care, using the Baxter Animated Retching Faces (BARF) scale and offered the QueaseEASE aromatherapy product. A postoperative phone call was made the next business day to inquire about use of product at home.Findings: Thirty-one patients rated their BARF scores as four or greater and were qualified to use the aroma-therapy pod. Twenty-four patients (77.4%) demonstrated a positive response to the aromatherapy, as evi-denced by a BARF score improvement of 2 or more points upon reassessment. Fourteen of the 27 patients (51.8%) contacted at home during the postoperative phone call stated continued use of the aromatherapy pod, and 100% of the families were satisfied with this adjunct therapy.Conclusions: Aromatherapy resulted in an improvement in self-reported nausea scores in a pediatric surgical outpatient population and was a family satisfier. Further research is recommended.(c) 2021 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the use of an aromatherapy product, QueaseEASE, as a supplement to standard postoperative nursing care for children experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in a pediatric outpatient surgical setting. The findings revealed that aromatherapy resulted in an improvement in self-reported nausea scores and was well-received by families. Further research on this topic is recommended.