This document discusses various comfort devices used in healthcare. It defines comfort and comfort devices as mechanical tools that provide optimal comfort and relieve pain, discomfort, tension and anxiety. Some key comfort devices mentioned include pillows, back rests, bed cradles, cardiac tables, mattresses, trapeze bars, footboards, trochanter rolls, sandbags, and side rails. The document explains the purpose of each device and factors that promote or inhibit patient comfort. It emphasizes that comfort devices are important for supporting patients' bodies, allowing freedom of movement, and maintaining correct positioning and alignment.

1. COMFORT DEVICES
BY
Mrs. Babitha K Devu
Assistant Professor
SMVDCoN

2. COMFORT - DEFINITION
 Comfort- The absence of irritating
stimuli that distract one's
attention from the task at hand.
 Comfort- The state of freedom
from pain, discomfort, tension &
anxiety.
 Comfort- Is a sense of mental and
physical well being.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

3. COMFORT DEVICES- DEFINITION
 Comfort devices are the mechanical
devices planned to provide optimal
comfort to an individual.
 Comfort devices are invented articles
which would add comfort to the
patient when used in appropriate
manner.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

4. 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
9.SANDBAGS
10.SIDE RAILS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

5. 11. WEDGE/
ABDUCTOR PILLOW
12.KNEE REST
13.BED BLOCKS
17. SPLINTS & BRACES
List of comfort devices…
14. AIR CUSHION
15. RUBBER &
COTTON RINGS
16. HAND ROLLS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

6. FACTORS PROMOTING AND INHIBITING
COMFORT
Factors promoting Factors inhibiting
Normal temperature Too high or too low temperature
Mormal humidity Dry or too humid environment
Safe, clean, quite and comfortable
environment
Unsafe, unpleasant and stressful environment
Comfortable positions Uncomfortable position
Neat and clean bed and linen Dirty and soiled bed and linen
Good ventilation Poor ventilation
Normal lighting Glaring or too dim lighting
Pleasant odours Unpleasant odours
No fear Fear
No stress and worry Stress and worry
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

7. MECHANICAL DEVICES FOR
COMFORT MEASURES

8. PILLOWS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

9. PILLOWS
 PURPOSES:
 Used for support to maintain correct
body alignment
 Used under head , arms , legs & along
spine or abdomen to provide comfort.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

10. BACK REST
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

11. BACK REST
 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.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

12.  PURPOSES:
I. To relieve dyspnoea.
II. To promote drainage from abdominal
cavity.
III. To provide a comfortable change of
position.
BACK REST
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

13. BED CRADLE
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

14. BED CRADLE
• It is a frame used to hold the bed linen
from touching the pt.
• Cradle is a semicircular / rectangular frame
of metal.
• May be made of wood or bamboo.
• PURPOSES:
• To prevent pressure from the weight of
linen.
• To allow air to circulate around lower limbs.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

15. CARDIAC TABLE
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

16. 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.
PURPOSES:
 Patient can rest over the table with the help
of pillow.
 Helps to take meals & in writing.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

17. AIR MATTRESS water mattress
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

18. MATTRESSES
MAINLY TWO TYPES:
• 1. AIR MATTRESS
• 2. WATER MATTRESS
 PURPOSES:
 To provide comfort
 Used for very thin and very obese patients
and those who are prone to pressure sores.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

19. TRAPEZE BAR
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

20. 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.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

21. FOOTBOARD
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

22. FOOTBOARD
• 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.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

23. TROCHANTER ROLLS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

24. 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
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

25. SANDBAGS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

26. 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
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

27. SIDE RAILS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

28. 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
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

29. WEDGE/ABDUCTOR PILLOW
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

30. 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
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

31. KNEE REST
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

32. 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.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

33. BED BLOCKS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

34. BED BLOCKS
 Made up of wood or metal.
 PURPOSES:
 These are used to raise the foot end or
head end of the bed
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

35. AIR CUSHION
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

36. AIR CUSHION
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.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

37. RUBBER RING COTTON RING
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

38. 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.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

39. HAND ROLLS
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

40. 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.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

41. SPLINTS & BRACES
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

42. SPLINTS & BRACES
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor

43. Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Asstt. Professor
The End