Healthcare facilities can be daunting places for patients and visitors, and also stressful workplaces for medical staff. It’s therefore important to create a pleasant and calm environment that contributes to a stress-free experience for everyone. One way of achieving this is with the right ambient scent.
The way a healthcare facility smells can have a huge impact on the way visitors feel. The memories triggered by a particular smell can be very immediate and powerful, and this can bring back unpleasant associations for some people. This isn’t surprising as most people will be in a hospital because they are sick or injured, or visiting an unwell loved one.
A hospital or clinic that smells pleasant can help to reduce some of the stress for patients, by removing any unwanted past associations and reassuring them that the facility is clean and well run. On the other hand, stale odors can give the impression that the facility is not well cared for, and this can add to the anxiety of being in an unfamiliar environment.
Even the most thoroughly cleaned and well managed healthcare facilities can have an unappealing scent due to the nature of the work that is carried out there. It’s important to not just mask a bad odor with a heavy fragrance as they will eventually mingle and make the problem even worse.
The most effective solution is to use a product that contains active odor neutralising ingredients. These contain molecules that interact with the chemical compounds emitting the bad odor, and render them undetectable to the human nose.
Once the unwanted smell has been eliminated, then a desirable background fragrance can be introduced. Research shows that fragrances influence our mood and behavior in different ways, so it’s worth putting some thought into which scent would suit your healthcare facility best.
For example, lavender is well known for its calming effect, and this makes it a popular choice for hospitals and doctor’s waiting rooms where people may be feeling unsettled and anxious. Pomegranate plum also has anti-anxiety properties, making it another highly effective choice.
Calm patients can experience less pain than highly tense and stressed ones. A more relaxed patient is more receptive and easier to treat, and can therefore get better outcomes from their treatment which is a positive situation for all concerned.
Fresh linen is also ideal for hospitals, as it emphases the impression of cleanliness and order. This makes an instant positive impact on patients and visitors, and can help to set the right tone for the duration of their stay.
It’s also important to consider the effect of a scent on the workforce. A fresh uplifting fragrance can aid motivation and boost morale in busy and high-pressure environments. This can lead to higher standards of diagnosis and treatment.
If you are looking for a hospital air freshener, please get in touch today.
