Problem: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) affects an unacceptable proportion of surgical patients and can contribute to mobidity and unintended hospitalization. Nausea has a complex etiology and pathophysiology. Medications are costly and plagued with limitations. Therefore, nausea continues to be a dilemma despite conventional therapy. Purpose and Scope: The purpose of this capstone project was to describe Texas perianesthesia nurses attitudes, knowledge and practice patterns regarding aromatherapy as a complementary therapy for PONV before and after participation in an educational intervention. Nurses will translate new education to a practice change and use fast acting and low cost isopropyl alcohol aromatherapy to reduce PONV and improve patient care outcomes. Goal: The goal of the project was to implement an aromatherapy educational intervention for Texas perianesthesia nurses, and foster acceptance and application of isopropyl alcohol aromatherapy as a beneficial holistic nursing intervention. Objectives: First, to describe the demographic characteristics of Texas perianesthesia nurses taking part in the study. Second, describe and measure post-intervention changes in perianesthesia nurses’ use of aromatherapy for demographic characteristics of interest. Third, describe and measure changes in perianesthesia nurses’ knowledge for demographic characteristisc of interest. Fourth, describe and measure post-intervention changes in perianesthesia nurses’ attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine for demographic characteristics of interest. Fifth, meaures the post-intevention change in perianesthesia nurses’ knowledge of aromatherapy. Sixth, measure the post-intervention changes in perianesthesia nurses’ attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine. Seventh, describe and measure perianesthesia nurses’ practice patter after the intervention and time intervnal. Plan: Phase One: Conduct needs assessment using a published evidence-based critique template. Phase Two: Complete project plan and educational intervention using an evidence-based approach and submit to Institutional Review Board. Phase Three: Implement intervention and complete data collection. Phase Four: Using adapted instruments, describe or measure nursing attitudes, knowledge, and practice patterns of aromatherapy for PONV before and after an educational intervention and submit the results. Phase Five: Report and dissemintate information. Outcomes and Results: Using an alpha level of .05, the post-intervention data demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge and positive attitudes. Even though 74.1% of participants used aromatherapy prior to the study, 50% of participants elevated their use of aromatherapy after the time interval. Although the participants experience practice barriers, they sought out additional resources for information, were more satisfied with the therapy and felt it was beneficial for patients. Finally, relationships of interest between demographics and attitudes, knowledge, and use of aromatherapy had limitations but represent information that can be of interest for future investigations.
