Use of Therapeutic Inhaled Essential Oils (TIEO) for the Healthcare Setting

Authors:
Wendy S. Nichols, BSN, APRN, CRNA
wendy@soothing-scents.com // 1-888-393-7330
Nell L. Tharpe, RN, CNM, MS, FACNM
nelltharpe.cnm@gmail.com // 1-888-393-7330

Fee: FREE
Course Delivery: Web Based
Target Participants: Registered Nurses
Expiration: July 31, 2020

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Course Structure

This is a web based course, available to all registered nurses (RNs) free of charge.

The participant will enroll in the course by creating a user name and password. Course material can be accessed at any time, allowing participants to complete each segment at their own pace.

The course consists of three core components:

  • Knowledge
  • Clinical Skills
  • Outcome Measurement

Knowledge

The knowledge portion of the course consists of clinically applicable information about essential oils, with an emphasis on how they relate to use in the clinical area, particularly for managing patients’ nausea and anxiety. Because so much of the information about essential oils is written for the general public and contains many inaccuracies, it is imperative for RNs to have valid, scientific research and literature on which to base their practice.

Successful completion of the knowledge component will be measured by achieving a passing score of 80 or higher on the online exam. Exam scores will be immediately available online to participants.

  • Expected Outcomes for the Knowledge Portion of the Course
  • Define Essential oils and the extraction process
  • Describe the biochemical effects of essential oil in the body based on route of administration
  • Describe the role of olfaction in patient acceptance of TIEO
  • Describe the indications for TIEO in the clinical setting and factors affecting best practices for delivery
  • Describe the safety considerations of TIEO as they relate to pregnancy, use with children, and airway disease
  • Describe the characteristics associated with therapeutic grade essential oils
  • Describe the current state of knowledge and literature limitations regarding TIEO
  • Describe the role of the registered nurse in implementing TIEO in the clinical setting

Clinical Performance

Course participants will combine the knowledge gained from the didactic portion of the course with clinical use, in order to become competent in utilizing TIEO therapy to manage nausea. Using TIEO interventions with patients will allow RNs the opportunity to integrate both the knowledge and procedural steps required. A minimum of five (5) patient uses is required in order to be eligible for a competency review. However, the number of patient uses can be as high as necessary to allow course participants to feel confident prior to review.

Expected Outcomes for the clinical portion of the course: the participant will be able to knowledgably, competently and safely administer the appropriate TIEO therapy to manage nausea in the clinical setting. In addition, they will be able to articulate key points of TIEO therapy to patients, family members or any member of the healthcare team. This will include:

    • Understand the definition of essential oils
    • Understand the biochemical route of inhaled essential oils
    • Know how olfaction and sense of smell affect the acceptance and efficacy of TIEO
    • Know when and where to use TIEO for management of nausea and anxiety
    • Know relevant safety issues regarding TIEO use in a clinical setting
    • Understand the meaning of independent nursing intervention when choosing to utilize TIEO
    • Determine necessity for intervention with patient experiencing nausea and/ or anxiety
    • Assess patient and medical record for allergies
    • Assess patient and medical record for scent intolerances
    • Assess patient and medical record for history of asthma or reactive airway disease
    • Communicate key points about TIEO, such as what it is, how it works, and the safety issues for patients with environmental sensitivities, asthma, and pregnancy
    • Demonstrate ability to select appropriate TIEO intervention
    • Demonstrate proper administration of TIEO
    • Demonstrate ability to teach patient how to self -administer TIEO utilizing "Patient Teach Back Method"
    • Assess efficacy and patient acceptance of TIEO
    • Make appropriate interventions as needed, such as removing TIEO product if not tolerated
    • Properly label TIEO container
    • Provide patient instruction regarding use after discharge
    • Document intervention per individual clinical site policy
    • Document efficacy and patient satisfaction with TIEO

A Skill Competency Checklist needs to be reviewed and completed by the course participant as a self evaluation tool. This checklist covers each clinical skill listed above. It can be filled in, e-signed, and submitted online.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

Data collection and review is a professional nursing act that demonstrates a commitment to competency and quality patient care. Compiling a solid database for TIEO use will provide a mechanism to

01. evaluate patients’ relief of nausea or anxiety,
02. evaluate patients’ satisfaction with their care, and
03. provide a method to demonstrate these findings to a multidisciplinary team.

Participants need to document use of TIEO in a minimum of 5 patients in the Patient Outcome Register, supplied with the course materials. This self-reported data tool measures:

01. Relief of nausea or anxiety after treatment, and
02. Satisfaction with treatment of nausea or anxiety.

The Quality Outcome Register provides a means to compile a database. Multiple course participants in the same department are encouraged to pool their data, for use in departmental quality improvement projects, pilot studies or investigational product reviews.

Conclusion

Passing the course exam (with an 80 or higher score), and online submission of an e- signed Skills Competency Checklist will result in the successful completion of this course. A certificate will be available for immediate download and printing.

All records related to the course will be maintained by SSI, Educational Division until 2023.

Questions? Please contact us at:

Soothing Scents Educational Division
TIEO@soothing-scents.com
1-888-393-7330, ext 4

  • By Participating in an ANCC-accredited Nursing Skills Competency Program
  • Nurses can claim and prove proficiency in using TIEO in the healthcare setting.
  • Employers and consumers can count on the ANCC accreditation as affirmation that the course provides the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to meet or exceed national benchmarks, which reduces the likelihood of mistakes, and improves patient outcomes and satisfaction with their care.
  • State regulatory bodies can identify Use of Therapeutic Inhaled Essential Oils for the Healthcare Setting as a program that has been developed appropriately to meet the necessary requirements to validate the skills of the nurses.

COURSE FACULTY

  • Wendy S. Nichols, BSN, CRNA Obtained her BSN in Nursing in 1984 from the University of Alabama. After working in a trauma unit and as a flight nurse with a helicopter aeromedical program, Wendy continued her studies by obtaining certification as a Nurse Anesthetist from the Manley L. Cummins School of Anesthesia in Dothan, Alabama in 1989.

    For many years, she practiced in Honolulu, Hawaii, then discovered the slower pace of coastal Maine. In 2004 she commenced the research and product development that led to QueaseEASE, the first commercially available TIEO product for clinical use.

    Wendy is passionate about bridging the gap between complementary and conventional medicine to empower nurses to pursue alternative therapies such as TIEO, for the comfort and care of their patients.

  • Nell Tharpe, CNM, CRNFA, MS, FACNM obtained her AAS in Nursing in 1981 and her Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery from the State University of New York in 1986, after which she began an active clinical practice in Maine. In her practice Nell offered women holistic care, attending births in small community hospitals.

    During her midwifery practice, Nell continued her education and became an RN First Assistant in 1996. She received her BSN from the University of Southern Maine in 2001 and in 2003 received her Master of Science degree in Midwifery from Philadelphia University.

    Nell is the original author of the widely-used midwifery text Clinical Practice Guidelines for Midwifery and Women’s Health, recently released in its 5th edition. She is also the author of The Midwife as Surgical First Assistant, and a chapter contributor to the text Pharmacology for Women’s Health, and numerous articles related to midwifery and women’s health practice.

    Nell’s passion is bridging the gap between practice and theory. Her focus is ensuring access to the highest quality health care in every practice setting. She currently teaches at Philadelphia University and functions as an independent Perinatal and Women’s Health Consultant.