Bed wedges are pillows shaped like triangles. These pillows, typically foam or gel, provide relief for your patients. Bed wedges help patients get relief due to difficult breathing, swelling and acid reflux. Bed wedges information indicates that they can be also be instrumental in a more rapid rate of recovery for patients.

The type of foam or gel in bed wedges varies by type and style. The most common type of bed wedge is simply a foam piece that has a cloth covering. Doctors who routinely recommend the use of bed wedges cite the following reasons:

1. Patients are able to sleep easier on bed wedges than on a stack of pillows because they don’t worry about falling off the bed wedges.

2. Patients have no need to constantly re-arrange bed wedges in the night.

3. Patients report fewer pressure points to get sore when they use bed wedges.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose bed wedges for back support

These are the traditional bed wedges. As you purchase bed wedges, it's up to you to decide how soft or firm you want the foam to be for your patients.

I recommend: Sherman Oaks Medical Supplies is a bed wedges provider. You can find bed wedges on the PHC and Associates website.

Select body bed wedges

These bed wedges act as bumpers to protect patients from the bed rails on their hospital bed. If you have patients who experience seizures, side-rail bed wedges can help protect them from injuring themselves during a seizure. Other body bed wedges can make the patient more comfortable in bed.

I recommend: Name Brands Direct offers body positioning bed wedges on their MedicalProductsDirect.com website. Colonial Medical Assisted Devices has side rail bed wedges in two lengths. Both are excellent choices to fill the gap between the bed and bed rail.

Find specialty bed wedges

There are specialty bed wedges of all sorts. From infant bed wedges to wedges for geriatric patients, you can find the right wedge for your patient care needs. And just as bed wedges have special purposes, you can find fillers to meet special needs as well.

I recommend: Contour Products offers a full-length bed wedge on its website. The reading wedges at zEarth.com can help your patients read comfortably in bed. The bed wedges list of zEarth.com features models that allow patients to adjust the height of the bed wedge much as they could adjust a reclining chair.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Periodically check bed wedges for signs of wear and tear. Remove the cover and clean it thoroughly. Make sure the zipper operates smoothly and that it has no sharp, exposed edges. Examine the foam for any breaks. If you see the foam is disintegrating, it's time to dispose of the bed wedge. If the cushion has any gel components, make sure there is no sign of leakage of the gel material.