Hospitals face mounting pressure to reduce costs, enhance patient satisfaction, and retain valuable staff—all while maintaining high clinical standards. As a result, non-pharmacologic interventions are becoming increasingly valued. One notable and accessible strategy that nurses are increasingly adopting at the bedside is clinical aromatherapy. This simple intervention is easy to implement and highly regarded by both patients and staff.
As clinical aromatherapy becomes a more common addition to patient care, the question arises: What are the financial implications of implementing an aromatherapy program in a hospital setting? To answer this, let's examine its economic impact in detail, focusing specifically on the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) within the surgical suite.
The Invisible Costs of Recovery
After surgery, the post-operative period brings its own set of challenges—such as post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), pain, and anxiety—which can delay discharge or transfers to med/surg units, increase reliance on medications, and put additional strain on nursing staff. Slow patient throughput, frequent medication requests, and longer stays in high-acuity areas all contribute to increased operational costs and stretched resources. Although many PACU nurses recognize the value of clinical aromatherapy, the tangible cost savings it offers are too often overlooked.
The Financial Fallout of Inaction
Hospitals that have not yet adopted clinical-grade aromatherapy may be incurring significant, often hidden, financial losses. Studies have shown that aromatherapy interventions can directly impact recovery times and operational efficiency.
In one study at a major urban hospital, incorporating aromatherapy into post-operative care shortened PACU stays by an average of 35 minutes per patient. With Phase 1 PACU costs ranging from $57 to $85 per minute, this reduction resulted in an estimated savings of $2,000 to $3,000 per patient.
The benefits extend further: less time spent administering medications frees up nurses for critical care, streamlines patient flow, and accelerates recovery, which in turn increases bed turnover and boosts revenue opportunities. Without aromatherapy, these operational efficiencies are lost, leaving hospitals to bear the expense of prolonged stays, higher medication use, and less optimal use of staff and space. Over time, the cumulative financial impact of these inefficiencies is significant, demonstrating that the actual cost of not adopting clinical-grade aromatherapy far exceeds the product’s purchase price.
Burnout, Violence, and the Staffing Spiral
Beyond financial metrics, there’s a human cost. When patients are anxious, nauseous, or in pain, they are more likely to become agitated or combative, a growing concern in hospitals. Since 2018 workplace violence incidents have surged by 60%, with nursing staff on the front lines.
Unchecked aggression and agitation increase stress and burnout, contributing to already high turnover rates. With the average cost to replace a nurse reaching $65,000, even modest improvements in patient behavior and staff experience can result in significant cost savings and retention benefits.
Satisfaction Scores Drive Reimbursement
Another factor impacting the bottom line is patient satisfaction scores. Value-based reimbursement models, such as HCAHPS, directly tie federal reimbursements to how patients rate their experience with care providers and hospital environments.
In today's competitive healthcare landscape, even marginal improvements in satisfaction scores can lead to significant financial gains or losses. Facilities that overlook practical, scalable solutions for enhancing the patient’s experience risk falling behind, not just in care quality but also in reimbursement opportunities.
So, what truly drives satisfaction? According to numerous studies and patient feedback, it’s not just about the medical outcome; it’s about how the patient feels during their stay. Emotional support, physical comfort, and the sense of being cared for as a whole person often rank just as high as technical skill.
Simple, non-invasive interventions that address these needs, such as offering a calming atmosphere or managing Post-Op symptoms without over-reliance on drugs, can produce measurable shifts in perception. These improvements aren’t just anecdotal; they show up in survey data and have direct financial implications for healthcare providers.
What is the Best Solution for Offering Clinical Aromatherapy?
Elequil Aromatabs® aromatherapy emerges as a clinically validated, cost-effective solution. Developed as a non-pharmacological intervention, Elequil Aromatabs offer easy-to-use, hands-free aromatherapy that adheres directly to the patient’s gown. Elequil Aromatabs were evaluated in a clinical setting at Parkland Health located in Dallas, Texas, where they were shown to:
- Reduce PACU time by 35 minutes per patient
- Eliminate the need for a second antiemetic dose in many cases
- Improve patient comfort, sleep, and cooperation
- Lead to a 94–95% patient satisfaction rating, up from 90–91%
- Help burn patients request less pain medication
By improving patient outcomes and streamlining workflows, Elequil Aromatabs positions itself as more than just a wellness enhancement; it’s a strategic, operational asset that directly supports cost control and care excellence.
A Low-Cost, High-Impact Intervention
When you look at the overall benefits—such as saved time, enhanced staff support, reduced medication use, and greater patient comfort—the expense of not adopting clinical-grade aromatherapy far outweighs the investment required to implement it.
Elequil Aromatabs provide a consistent, scalable solution that enriches the care environment, elevates both staff and patient experiences, and minimizes costs associated with inefficiency and dissatisfaction.
Learn how to implement Elequil Aromatabs® into your hospital. Contact your Elequil Account Manager at 1-800-233-5539 or info@beekley.com.
Megan Sargalski
Marketing Communications Specialist
