COMFORT DEVICES
BY
Komal Sharma
Nursing Tutor
HFCON
COMFORT DEVICES- Definition
• Comfort- The absence of irritating
stimuli that distract one's
attention from the task at hand.
• Comfort devices are the
mechanical devices planned to
provide optimal comfort to an
individual.
List of comfort devices…
1. PILLOWS 6. TRAPEZE BAR
2. BACK REST 7.FOOTBOARD
3. BED CRADLE 8.TROCHANTER
4. CARDIAC ROLLS
TABLE 9. SANDBAGS
5. MATTRE 10.SIDE RAILS
SSES
List of comfort devices…
11.WEDGE/ 14. AIR CUSHION
ABDUCTOR PILLOW
15.RUBBER &
12.KNEE REST COTTON RINGS
13.BED BLOCKS 16. Hand rolls
PILLOWS
• PURPOSES:
Used for support to maintain
correct body alignment
Used under head , arms , legs &
along spine or abdomen to provide
comfort.
PILLOWS
BACK REST
It is a mechanical device, which provides
support to the patient in a sitting
position. Can be adjusted to desired
angle.
Extra pillows are needed.
Arms of patient are well supported.
BACK REST
• PURPOSES:
I. To relieve dyspnoea.
II. To promote drainage from
abdominal cavity.
III. To provide a comfortable change
of position.
BACK REST
BED CRADLE
• It is a comfort device, designated to
keep the top bed clothes off the feet,
legs and abdomen of the patient. It is
used in cases of burns or to apply
heat for drying plaster casts. It is also
used in observing patients with lower
limb amputation.
• PURPOSES:
• To prevent pressure from the
weight of linen.
• To allow air to circulate around lower
BED CRADLE
CARDIAC TABLE
It is a device designed as an over bed
table, and is placed in front of the
patients while they are in fowler’s
position. It is so called because normally
this is used by cardiac patients, who can
lean forward with a pillow. This can be
used for writing purpose, serving food and
other self care activities.
PURPOSES:
• Patient can rest over the table with the
help of pillow.
CARDIAC TABLE
MATTRESSE
S
These are used for the patients who are
prone to develop pressure sores. In this
the pressure exerted by the body is
equally distributed in all directions.
MAINLY TWO TYPES:
• 1. AIR MATTRESS
• 2. WATER MATTRESS
Purpose-
• To provide comfort
• Used for very thin and very obese patients and those
who are prone to pressure sores.
Air mattress water mattress
TRAPEZE BAR
Bar is suspended from an overhead
frame to head of bed
• PURPOSES:
Patient can grasp the bar to raise the
trunk off the bed surface or to move
up in bed.
TRAPEZE BAR
FOOTBOARD
• It is a flat panel made of wood or plastic
and is placed at the foot end of the bed. It
provides support to the patient’s feet,
keeps the top bed covers off the patient’s
feet and makes the foot comfortable. It
helps in preventing foot drop.
PURPOSES:
• To support patients feet
• To prevent foot drop.
FOOTBOARD
TROCHANTER ROLLS
• A cotton bath blanket/sheet is
folded lengthwise to width extending
from greater trochanter of femur to
lower border of popliteal space
PURPOSES:
Prevent external rotation of legs
when patient is in supine position
TROCHANTER ROLLS
SANDBAGS
• They are sand filled plastic bags
that can be shaped to body
contours
• Can be used in place of or in
addition to trochanter rolls
• PURPOSES:
• Provide support & shape to body
• Immobilize extremities &
maintain specific body alignment
SANDBAGS
SIDE RAILS
• Side rails are the bars positioned
along the sides of the length of the
bed
• PURPOSES:
• Ensure patient’s safety & are useful
for increasing mobility
• Provide assistance in rolling from
side to side or sitting up in bed
SIDE RAILS
WEDGE/ABDUCTOR PILLOW
• It is a triangular shaped pillow made
of heavy foam
• PURPOSES:
• Used to maintain legs in abduction
following Total Hip Replacement
Surgery
WEDGE/ABDUCTOR PILLOW
KNEE REST
• This is a device placed under the
knees to provide comfort.
PURPOSES:
• This gives relaxation and thus
relieves pain on tendons beneath
the knees.
KNEE REST
BED BLOCKS
• Made up of wood or metal.
• PURPOSES:
• These are used to raise the foot
end or head end of the bed
BED BLOCKS
AIR CUSHION
These are made up of rubber and can
be inflated with air. They are used
to take the weight of the body off
the sacral region. They prevent
bedsores at the buttocks.
PURPOSES:
• Used to take off the weight of the
body and to relieve pressure on
certain parts of the body.
AIR CUSHION
RUBBER & COTTON RINGS
These are circular rings made of
rubber or cotton used to relieve
pressure on certain parts of the
body like elbows, heels and occiput.
PURPOSES:
• These are used to relieve pressure
on certain parts of the body like
elbow and heels.
RUBBER RING COTTON RING
HAND ROLLS
• Made by folding a washcloth in half ,
rolling in lengthwise & securing roll
with tape.
• Roll is placed against palmar surface
of hand.
Purposes:
• Maintain thumb in slightly adducted &
in opposition to fingers.
• Maintain fingers in slightly flexed
position.
HAND ROLLS
