Short answer: Ontario care homes buy adult underpads by the case, and the case count decides the reorder point. A 60 by 90 cm five-layer pad with superabsorbent polymer ships 50 to a pack and 500 to a case, which is about two to four weeks for a 30-bed unit. Pads without SAP are cheaper per unit and get changed more often, so the cost per resident-day is closer than the sticker price suggests.
CliniEco supplies a 
60 by 90 cm five-layer underpad with SAP in a 500-count case, vacuum compressed so the case takes less shelf space in a supply room that is already full of briefs and wipes.
Where can an Ontario care home buy adult underpads by the case?
Order on five points: dimensions, absorbency or SAP presence, layers, pack and case count, and whether the pad is latex-free. A home that orders by brand name alone ends up with a different product each time the supplier substitutes.
How many cases does a 30-bed unit need each month?
| Use per resident per day | Pads per month (30 beds) | Cases of 500 | Reorder point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1,800 | 3.6 | 1 case on hand |
| 3 | 2,700 | 5.4 | 2 cases on hand |
| 4 | 3,600 | 7.2 | 2 to 3 cases on hand |
These figures assume 30 days and a fully occupied unit. Add 10 per cent for isolation rooms and respite admissions, which is where the "we ran out on a Friday" calls come from.
What should a purchasing manager compare beyond price per case?
Three things move cost more than the case price. First, absorbency: a pad that holds more is changed less often, and labour is the largest line in continence care. Second, fit: a 60 by 90 cm pad covers a standard mattress section, while a 30 by 36 inch pad is better for chairs and transfer. Third, storage: vacuum-compressed cases fit a shelf that loose packs do not, which matters in older homes with small utility rooms.
How should underpads be stored and disposed of?
Store cases off the floor, in a dry room away from cleaning chemicals, and rotate stock so the oldest case is opened first. Used pads go into general waste unless provincial biomedical waste rules apply because of blood or other body fluids; in Ontario that classification comes from the province, not from the federal device regulator, and the home's waste contractor will confirm which stream applies.
Download the printable continence supply usage sheet, set par levels with the clinic supply planner, and ask a compliance specialist if an infection-control inspection is coming. Homes also comparing monitoring consumables for their sterilization area can request a 5-pack biological indicator sample.
Related reading
Where to buy underpads in Quebec: case counts for care homes; Alberta care home ordering: case counts for briefs and underpads; CliniEco learning hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many underpads does a care home resident use per day?
Plan on two to four per resident per day for bed protection, with higher use in continence care and lower use where residents are mobile.
What is the difference between a 5-layer pad with SAP and a plain underpad?
The SAP layer locks fluid into a gel, so a 5-layer pad holds more and stays drier under pressure; a plain pad wicks and is changed more often.
Are underpads counted as medical waste?
No. Used underpads are general waste unless they are saturated with blood or other body fluids that make them biomedical waste under provincial rules.
CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
Ordering for a clinic, lab or care home? Wholesale and multi-site ordering covers case pricing and account setup, and the B2B wholesale collection lists the lines stocked for institutional buyers. Reselling? become a distributor.
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