Int J Nurs Pract. 2000 Apr; 6(2): 110-2.

The effect on staff of essential oil burners in extended care settings.

Tysoe P.

Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. tysoe@senet.com.au

Because hospital wards may be associated with smells, such as chemicals, food, and people and their produce, essential oils in burners were considered a way of improving the ward atmosphere for staff. A study was conducted in three parts. A questionnaire covering a period of 1 month; lavender oil in burners for a 3-month period; and a second questionnaire. A significant number of respondents (88%) indicated in the first questionnaire their belief that the use of essential oil would have a positive effect on the workplace. Eighty-five per cent of respondents to the second questionnaire believed that there had been an improvement in the work environment following the use of the lavender oil burners.