THEORY

OF COMFORT
{Katharine Kolcaba}
Jamie Wertz
NURS 451
Ferris State University

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this presentaCon is to reect on how
Katharine Kolcabas Theory of Comfort can be uClized
to generate an interdisciplinary care plan for end-of-life
and palliaCve care

THEORY OF COMFORT
Theory of Comfort: Katharine Kolcaba
Developed in the 1990s
Primary focus is on paCent comfort
Comfort can be physical, psychospiritual,
environmental, and sociocultural

Pa@ent comfort exists in three forms:

Relief

Pain management through medicaCons

Ease

Relief from anxiety

Transcendence

Rising above challenges in care and recovery

(Nursing Theory, 2014)

EMPOWERING STRATEGIES
Nurses play an important role in educaCng paCents and families
on decisions regarding comfort care, as well as implemenCng
strategies to enhance paCent comfort
Kolcabas Comfort Theory provides a framework of guidelines to
empower the paCent and his or her family members through
the dying process
Strategies of implemenCng comfort care:

Comfort needs are subjecCvely (what the paCent and family members say) and
objecCvely (what the nurse observes) assessed
Comfort measures nurses provide are designed to meet each unique situaCon,
taking into account all intervening variables of relief, ease and transcendence

Using therapeuCc communicaCon

MedicaCon administraCon (palliaCve care)
ReposiConing the paCent for comfort
Promote autonomy for paCent/family decision making in the comfort
process
Encouraging family to ask for medicaCon if paCents pain is not relieved

Comfort measures are reevaluated to ensure total comfort is achieved based on

paCent and/or family member desires

(Kolcaba & Fisher, 1996)

ENGAGING IN COMFORT
Kolcabas Theory of Comfort helps paCents and family
members engage in the paCents health promoCon, safety
and transcendence at end-of-life stages with nursing
resources
PalliaCve care

Assists with pain management

Arms life and regards dying as a normal process
Oers a support system to help family cope during the paCents end-
of-life care

Hospice care

Nurses are paCent and family advocates of support and care as they
manage the paCents symptoms and provide encouragement and
educaCon 24/7
Assist paCents in rising above, or transcending, their pain or
unresolved problems
Provide low-sCmulaCon environments that are peaceful and safe for
the paCent and family to reside in

(Vendlinski & Kolcaba, 1997)

VALUED PARTNERSHIPS WITH

NURSING TO ENHANCE COMFORT
Physician

ConCnually assesses paCents health status, orders medicaCons prn, answers quesCons paCent
and/or family may have about the disease process

Respiratory Therapy

Decrease breathing discomfort

Spiritual Therapy

Assist with coping if desired

Social Work

Inform paCent/family of community resources that oer support (support groups, nances, grief
counseling, etc.)

Nursing Technician

Assist with bathing, reposiConing for comfort, oral care, ADLs

Physical and OccupaConal Therapy (PT & OT)

Assist with passive range of moCon to decrease muscle contracture and can assess paCent/family
needs for assisCve devices such as lihs, walkers, or beds that decrease skin breakdown

Speech-Language Therapy (SLP)

Assesses paCents swallowing abiliCes to prevent aspiraCon

Assists with any communicaCon barriers paCent may have

DieCcian

Assesses nutriConal needs

CONCLUSION
Kolcabas Theory of Comfort is a useful resource
for nurses when preparing end-of-life and
palliaCve care planning for paCents and their
families
An interdisciplinary team collaborates with
paCents and their families to fulll paCents
wishes and provide quality comfort care
Kolcabas Comfort Theory allows paCents to
experience control in their care so they have an
enhanced quality of life as they come to terms
with their terminal illness

References
Kolcaba, K. Y., & Fisher, E. M. (1996). A holisCc perspecCve on comfort care as an
direcCve. CriCcal care nursing quarterly, 18(4), 6676.
Nursing Theory. (2014). Retrieved from hlp://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-
models/kolcaba-theory-of-comfort.php
Vendlinski, S., & Kolcaba, K. Y. (1997). Comfort care: a framework for hospice nursing.
The American journal of hospice & palliaCve care, 14(6), 271276.