Critical care environments are designed to save lives, but they can also be overwhelming for patients and their families. Alarms, bright lights, invasive monitoring, and frequent interruptions often contribute to patient anxiety, restlessness, sleep disruption, and ICU delirium. Families face the fear of the unknown, emotional stress, information overload, and sometimes life-or-death choices. While medical treatment is always the top priority, addressing comfort and emotional well-being plays an important role in recovery. One simple, non-invasive option many hospitals have integrated into patient care is aromatherapy with Elequil Aromatabs® aromatherapy for both patients and family members.
The Role of Comfort in Critical Care
Patients in the ICU or other critical care areas often experience stress and uncertainty. Elevated anxiousness can interfere with rest, elevate blood pressure, impact recovery, delay discharge, and impact overall tolerance of medical interventions.
With the many medications an ICU patient might take, clinicians are increasingly seeking non-pharmacological strategies that can decrease patient agitation to help them relax and provide comfort without introducing side effects or drug interactions.
In addition, maintaining a calm environment and offering comfort measures such as aromatherapy can help patients feel more relaxed, potentially reducing the sense of isolation and fear that often accompanies critical illness.
What is Clinical Aromatherapy and How Can it Help in the ICU?
Clinical aromatherapy uses 100% pure essential oils to promote wellness psychologically, physiologically, and spiritually.
One product that is used by over 3,600 hospitals and healthcare facilities is Elequil Aromatabs® aromatherapy designed for the clinical setting.
Elequil Aromatabs aromatherapy are single-use, self-adhesive aromatherapy tabs developed for use in healthcare environments as a non-pharmacological approach to patient care.
Elequil Aromatabs® use a consistent amount of oils that adheres to a patient’s gown and stays within their personal space. It has a minimum and maximum tear level to expose the aroma, and it is an easy application method to integrate at the bedside, making it a unique option for patient comfort.
Used as a nursing intervention as a comfort measure, five aroma combinations are available to help patients have a more positive experience:
- Lavender & Lavender-Sandalwood promote relaxation during pain, help comfort and calm anxiousness
- Lavender-Peppermint promotes relaxation during pain, helps comfort and calm anxiousness, and can soothe queasiness
- Orange-Peppermint & Orange-Ginger uplifts mood and can soothe queasiness
Research and clinical experience suggest aromatherapy may provide several benefits in ICU and critical care settings, including reducing anxiousness, improving rest, and providing patient autonomy.
Patient feedback further illustrates these benefits. One patient shared, "I was feeling queasy and unsteady in bed. My nurse suggested the Orange-Peppermint aromatab. She brought it and attached it to the bed rail. Within 10 minutes, I started to feel better." ~ Bob L, Burnsville, MN
Why Elequil Aromatabs Are Ideal for Critical Care
Elequil Aromatabs can be applied quickly at the bedside and remain effective for up to 8 hours. There are several ways to use Elequil Aromatabs in a critical care setting, including during ICU recovery periods where calm is essential, ventilator weaning when relaxation can help patients focus on breathing exercises, bedside procedures or repositioning that may cause discomfort or stress, and family visitation times to create a calmer, more welcoming environment.
Unlike traditional aromatherapy methods that require diffusers or open essential oils, Elequil Aromatabs were designed specifically for clinical use:
- Safe and hygienic – Single-use, disposable format supports infection control.
- Controlled delivery – Consistent aroma without overwhelming the patient or surrounding patients.
- No equipment required – Easy for staff to implement in any setting.
- Versatile - Suitable for adults, pediatric patients, and even staff wellness initiatives.
Enhancing Comfort in Critical Care
Critical care will always focus on lifesaving interventions, but comfort and emotional well-being are vital parts of the patient experience. By reducing stress, supporting rest, and giving patients a sense of control, Elequil Aromatabs® provide a simple, effective way to enhance care in the ICU and beyond.
Elequil Aromatabs can also be offered to family members by simply adhering one to their clothing, providing comfort and support during a stressful time. Since families often complete the patient surveys after their loved one’s stay, this small gesture shows them: “We see you, we hear you, we care about you.” Such a simple tool can make a meaningful difference.
For hospitals seeking to integrate patient-centered comfort measures, clinical aromatherapy with Elequil Aromatabs is a safe, evidence-based solution that makes a meaningful difference.
Request your complimentary sample or email info@beekley.com for more information.
