Comfort devices used in hospital

1. COMFORT
DEVICES Ms Shiwani Sah
Lecturer
MIHS

2. COMFORT DEVICES
• Comfort devices are the articles which will add to the comfort
of the patient when used by relieving discomfort and helping
to maintain correct posture.
• Various devices are used for giving comfort to the patient.

3. PILLOWS
• Pillows are used to give comfortable position to the patient.
Pillows should be of appropriate size for the body part to be
positioned.

4. Uses
• It is used to support parts of the body like head and neck, arms, legs
and parts of back.
• It is used to relieve pain on abdominal muscles and tendons beneath
the knees.
• Used in positioning patients.
• It is used to elevate body parts and splint incision areas.
• Used to maintain proper body alignment.
• Help to reduce pressure.

5. FOOT BOARD
• Foot boards are the mechanical device used to give rest to
feet.
• A flat panel or board made of plastic or wood which is placed
perpendicular to the mattress and parallel to and touching the
planters surfaces of the client’s feet.
• Foot boards maintain dorsiflexion.

6. FOOT BOARD
• Boards should be removed at least 2-3 times per day.
• Assess skin integrity and joint mobility.
• After placing to on the bed, the nurse needs to determine that it is
correctly placed, with client’s feet placed firmly against the board.

7. Uses
• Used to maintain the normal position of feet.
• Used to promote comfort.
• Used to prevent foot drop by maintaining the feet in
dorsiflexion.

8. -

9. BED CRADLES
• Bed cradles vary widely in size and in material.
• These are mostly semi- circular in shape, made of wood or
metal.

10. Uses
• Used to support the weight of the top bed clothing and to
prevent them from coming in contact with the patient’s body.
• Used especially for patients with burns.
• Electric bed cradles are used to supply the desired warm in
the case of shock.
• When the plaster cast is wet, it is used to make it dry.
• For patients after amputation.

11. BACK REST
• Back rest is mechanical device which provides a suitable
support and rest for the back of the patient in fowler’s
position.

12. Uses
• Used to support back.
• Used to relieve dyspnea as in asthmatic patients by providing
fowler’s or high fowler’s position, given especially for heart
patients and asthma patients to facilitate easy breathing.
• Used in positioning cardiac patient to reduce workload on
heart.
• This position is used in post operative period.

13. CARDIAC TABLE
• The table is placed in front of the patient.
• A pillow is arranged on the top of table so that patient can
lean forward.

15. Uses
• Used for patients to lean forward especially when the patient
has been in the sitting position for a long time.
• Used in positioning patient who are to undergo some
diagnostic procedures like thoracocentesis.
• Cardiac table also helps to prevent bedsores in a patient who
has to sit up for long periods.
• Helps to provide comfortable position for cardiac patient.

16. Air and water mattress
• It is special type of mattress filled with water or air which
moves from one part of the mattress to the other, his reducing
pressure to the same area.
• These are used for very thin or obese patients and for those
who are prone to get pressure sores. The principles in that
pressure exerted by the body will be distributed equally in all
directions.
• It helps in equal distribution of the pressure exerted on the
body.

17. Uses
•To improve circulation.
• To provide comfort.
• To prevent pressure ulcers in
patient at risk.

18. Rings
• Air rings are made of rubber and cotton wrapped with
bandage.
• The air ring can be inflated with air.
• These are placed under bony prominence such as heels and
fastened in place if necessary.

19. Uses
• To prevent direct pressure on bony prominence.
• To relieve pressure on certain parts of the body e.g. elbow,
heels, buttocks.
• To improve circulation.

20. AIR CUSHION
• Air cushions are found in shape and made up of rubber. These
can be inflated with air.

21. Uses
• To take off weight of the body.
• To provide relaxation as it yields to shift off body weight.

22. BED BLOCKS
• Bed blocks are made up of wood or metal used raise the head
or foot end of the bed for various reasons.

23. Uses
• For providing trendlenburg position for patient following
spinal anesthesia.
• For preventing shock.
• For arresting haemorrhage.
• For retaining fluids in retention enema.
• After tonsillectomy.
• To position in postural drainage.
• To provide traction.

24. HOT WATER BAG
• Hot water bag is made of rubber and as a
common method of applying local dry
heat.
• It is used as both a therapeutic and comfort
measure.

25. Uses
• To promote healing.
• To relieve retention of urine.
• To stimulate circulation by dilating blood vessels.
• To raise body temperature in case of hypothermia.
• To provide comfort and warmth.
• To relieve pain.
• To relax muscles.
• To reduce inflammation.

26. ROLLS
Hand rolls: hand rolls are made of cloth that rolled into a
cylinder about 4.5 inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter.
• It helps to maintain thumb and fingers in a functional
position.
• Uses: used to maintain thumb and fingers in slightly flexed
position.

27. ROLLS
• Thigh rolls: Thigh rolls are made by folding a sheet to the
desired length of 2-3 feet and then rolled into a tight
cylinder.
• Used: used to support hips and thighs preventing them from
outward rotation and keeping the feet in good alignment in
case of paralysis, fracture of femur and hip surgery.

28. HAND WRIST SPLINTS
• These are individually moulded splints for patient for
patients to maintain proper alignment of thumb.
• They are slightly adducted in apposition to fingers and to
maintain wrist in slight dorsiflexion.
• We should ensure that pressure of the splints is not
obliterating circulation.

29. Uses
• Used to maintain immobility of the fingers and maintain
functional position.

30. TRAPEZE BAR
• It is a triangular device that is attached to an over bed frame.

31. Uses
• To enable patient to raise trunk from bed.
• To enable patient to move from bed to wheel chair.
• To help the patient in performing exercise that strengthen
upper arms.

32. SIDE RAILS
• Side rails or safety sides are used on both hospital beds and
stretches. They are of various shapes and sizes and are
usually made of metal.
• Side rails are bars, positioned along the sides of the length of
the bed.

33. Uses
• Prevent the patient from falling out od the bed and protect
the restless patients.
• Provide the patient support to grasp and hold when moving
about.
• Provide assistance in rolling from side to side or sitting up in
bed.

34. SAND BAGS
• These are rubber or plastic bags filled with sand which are
available in various sizes.
• It prevents foot drop and external rotation of thighs.

35. Uses
• Support body part.
• Immobilization the body part.
• Support fracture bone.
• Prevent foot and or wrist drop.
• Relieve discomfort.
• In application of pressure in case of blessing.
• Provide support and shape to body contours, and maintains
specific body alignment.

36. BED BOARDS
• Plywood boards placed under the entire mattress.
• it is used for increasing back support and vertebral
alignment with a soft mattress.

37. Uses
• Used in patient with a soft mattress.
• Used in patient with spinal problems.
• Used in giving CPR in the proper manner.

38. BED MAKING
• Bed making is a systematic way of preparing the appropriate bed based on
the condition of the patient, which adopts scientific principles of nursing.
• Bed making is the process of keeping the bed clean , neat and tidy.
BED
• A bed is the piece of equipment used mostly by a client. It is the place where
the patient spends most of his time in the hospitals an most of the nursing
care is given in bed.

39. TYPES
1) Manual : This is made of metal, and is normally operated which requires
more energy to use but it is economical and is the most common type of
bed in nepalese hospital.
2) Hydraulic: These are light beds so they can be moved easily. It is safe to
use electric equipment on hydraulic bed but it is expensive and not
available in Nepal.
3) Electric : These beds require the leat amount of energy.

40. Manual bed

41. Hydraulic bed

42. Electric bed

43. PRINCIPLES OF BED MAKING
1. Using correct body mechanics: Body mechanics refer to the use of
correct body posture while making bed , lifting patients or carrying out
any other procedures so the nurse must use proper body mechanics
during bed making.
Principle of body mechanics
• raising the bed to a working level to avoid bending down or stretching
over the mattress.

44. • Twisting of body should be avoided during bed making.
• Point your toes and face in the direction that you are moving, avoid
twisting.
2.Preventing cross infection
• Hold clean & soiled linen away from uniform.
• Handle linens carefully without shaking them.
• If clean linen touches the floor, it is immediately discarded.
• Avoid fan linen because air currents can spread organisms.
• Wear gloves during bed making if linen soiling is likely.

45. • Avoid touching your clothing and wash your hands before and after
making bed of each patient to prevent cross infection.
3. Making the bed smooth for the safety of the patient : The rough surface of the
bottom sheet should be turned downward so that they do not hurt the
patient skin.
4.Making the bed just sufficiently tight:Enough tight bed doest not cause foot
drop and it is comfortable and lasts longer to prevent wrinkles, pull linen
tight as they are tucked.
5.Preparing bed with less effort and time: To conserve time and energy , pick
up all the necessary linens from the linen supply before beginning.

46. OTHERS
• Prepare the bed neatly.
• Always fold bed linen from top to bottom.
• Always arrange bed linen in correct order with closed side away from
you before making the bed.
• While tucking bedding under the mattress the palm of the hand should
face down in order to protect your nail.
• Keep the open end of the pillow away from the entrance of the ward.
• After completing bed making see that the locker and chair in place that
all the beds are in line.
• Provide privacy by screening & draping.

47. PURPOSES
To provide a clean and comfortable bed for the patient.
To promote rest comfort and cleanliness.
To maintain a clean environment and neat appearance to the unit.
To observe the patient and to prevent complications.
To ambulate the patient.
To provide smooth wrinkle free bed thus minimizing sources of skin
irritation and bedsore.
To establish a good nurse patient relationship and teaching the relatives
To reduce transmission of micro organism.
To receive new patient.

48. GENERAL INSTRUCTION
Wash hands before and after procedure.
Gather all the required linen and accessories before making the bed.
Do not expose the patient unnecessarily.
Do not cover the patient’s face while placing the linen.
Observe the patient and document nursing observation.
Note the tolerance of activity level while out of bed.
Check for drainage, wetness or other body fluids and record
observation.

49. TYPES

50. Articles

54. Occupied bed making procedure

55. Unoccupied bed making procedure

56. Mitered corner

57. 1.Unoccupied bed
An unoccupied or close bed is one that is made when not occupied by a
patient. It is of Two types:
I. Open
II. Closed
ARTICLES
o A tray containing
o Duster 3
o A bowl with disinfectant solution
o Kidney tray
o Chair or stool/ trolly to keep
o Hamper or dirty linen basket/laundry bag
o Clean gloves

58. oClean linen set
Bottom sheet or bed sheet
 Mackintosh
Draw sheet
Top sheet
Blanket
Pillow cover
i. Closed bed making :It is an empty bed, in which the top covers are
arranged that all linen beneath the spread is fully protected from dust
and dirt while waiting for patients.

59. PURPOSES
a) To give a clean comfortable bed.
b) To keep bed ready for the admission.
c) To keep it ready for any emergency.
d) To protect the bed from dust and dirt.
e) To give the room a neat and tidy appearance
PROCEDURE from book
Sumitra Pathak

60. 2. Open bed bed making: The term open bed used to design the hospital
bed when it is about to be occupied by a patient either for a new patient
or for an ambulatory patient.
Open bed is made as usual and one corner of the linen is folded back
to let the patient in. The top linen is fan folded to the foot end of the
bed or to one side of the bed.
Purposes:
To provide clean bed.
To maintain clean environment.
To reduce transmission of microorganism
To prevent and observe complicattion.
To provide comfort
To ambulate the patient.

66. Orthopedic bed

67. Procedure
• Place the fracture board on the cot(BED) in such a way that it is in
between boards for aeration.
• The bed is prepared as simple bed.
• Make the patient comfortable and leave the unit tidy.
3)Amputation bed: An amputation bed is used after amputation of leg to
take off weight of bed site of the operation.
Purposes:
• To keep the stump in a good position.
• To be able to watch the stump for haemorrahge and apply tourniquet
instantly.

68. Amputation bed

69. Striker bed
Striker bed

70. Traction bed making

71. THANK
YOU