This document lists and describes various comfort devices used in healthcare. It defines comfort and comfort devices, then provides details on 16 different devices: pillows, back rests, bed cradles, cardiac tables, mattresses, trapeze bars, footboards, trochanter rolls, sandbags, side rails, wedge/abductor pillows, knee rests, bed blocks, air cushions, rubber and cotton rings, and hand rolls. For each device, it describes materials, purposes, and how they are used to provide support, relief, and optimal comfort to patients.

1. Comfort & comfort devices
- Ms. Khyati Chaudhari

2. 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.

3. List of comfort devices…
1. PILLOWS
2. BACK REST
3. BED CRADLE
4. CARDIAC TABLE
5. MATTRESSES
6. TRAPEZE BAR
7. FOOTBOARD
8. TROCHANTER ROLLS

4. List of comfort devices…
8. SANDBAGS
9. SIDE RAILS
11. WEDGE/ ABDUCTOR PILLOW
12. KNEE REST
13. BED BLOCKS
14. AIR CUSHION
15. RUBBER & COTTON RINGS
16. HAND ROLLS

5. Pillows
• They are made up of strong cotton or Dunlop.
• Size 60 cm long, 45 cm wide & 10 cm thick.
PURPOSES:
• Used for support to maintain correct body alignment
• Used under head , arms , legs & along spine or abdomen to
provide comfort.

6. Back Rest
• It’s mechanical device which provides support for the client in the
sitting position.
• Support patient’s back at an angle , so that he may maintain a sitting
position.
• Can be adjusted to desired angle.
• Extra pillows are needed.
• Arms of patient are well supported.
• Used for pts suffering with cardiac & pulmonary distress.

7. Back Rest
• PURPOSES:
1. To relieve dyspnea.
2. To promote drainage from abdominal cavity.
3. To provide a comfortable change of position.

8. Bed Cradle
• It is a frame used to hold the bed linen from touching the pt.
• It support & take off the weight of the bed clothing.
• Cradle is a semicircular / rectangular frame of metal.
• May be made of wood or bamboo.
• Cradles equipped bulbs are used to supply the desired amount warmth.

9. Bed Cradle
• PURPOSES:
• To prevent pressure from the
weight of linen.
• To allow air to circulate around
lower limbs.
• To apply heat as in case of drying
plaster casts.

11. Cardiac Table
• Bed table placed in front with a pillow on it, patient can lean forward &
take rest.
• Table without pillow is used for writing & meals.
• Used for pts with cardiac conditions & asthma.
• Position should be changed to relieve fatigue.

12. Cardiac Table
• PURPOSES:
• Patient can rest over the table with the
help of pillow.
• Helps to take meals & in writing.

13. Mattresses
• Mainly two types:
1. Air Mattress
2. Water mattress
• The principle of using this mattress is “ pressure excreted by the body
will be distributed equally in all direction.
• Thus, pressure against bony prominences or areas subject to develop
of pressure sores will be reduced.

14. Mattresses
• PURPOSES:
• To provide comfort.
• Used for very thin and very obese patients and those who are prone
to pressure sores.

15. Mattresses
Air mattress

16. Mattresses
Water mattress

17. 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.

18. Trapeze Bar

19. Foot Board
• Device that is placed towards the foot of pts bed to serve as support
for his feet .
• Usually made up of wood/plastic/heavy canvas.
• PURPOSES:
• To support patients feet.
• To prevent foot drop.
• To maintain normal position of feet.
• Also provided for people in office work to support lower
extremities.

20. Foot Board

21. Trochanter Roll
• A cotton bath blanket/sheet is folded lengthwise to width extending
from greater trochanter of femur to lower border of popliteal space.
• PURPOSES:
• To Prevent external rotation of legs when patient is in supine
position.

22. Trochanter Roll

23. Sand Bags
• 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.
• To immobilize a part as in fractures.
• To relieve discomfort.
• To prevent foot drop & wrist drop.

24. Sand Bags

25. 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.

26. Side Rails

27. 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

28. Wedge/Abductor Pillow

29. Knee Rest
• Knee rest may be substituted by a pillow.
• This is a device placed under the knees to provide comfort .
• PURPOSES:
• This gives relaxation and thus relieves pain on tendons beneath the
knees.
• Many doctors do not allow knee pillows because of the fear of
thrombus formation & pulmonary embolism.
• Note : change of position in frequent intervals is necessary.

30. Knee Rest

31. Bed Blocks
• Made up of wood or metal.
• PURPOSES:
• These are used to raise the foot end or head end of the bed.

32. Bed Blocks

33. Air Cushions
• Air cushions are made up of rubber and it can be inflated with air .
• PURPOSES:
• Used to take off the weight of the body and to relieve pressure on
certain parts of the body.
• They should not be used directly in contact with the skin.
• They should have covers.

34. Air Cushions

35. Rubber & Cotton Rings
• These are circular rings made of rubber or cotton.
• PURPOSES:
• These are used to relieve pressure on certain parts of the body like
elbow and heels.

36. Rubber & Cotton Rings

37. Hand Roll
• 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.

38. Hand Roll