Quick answer: par for disposable underpads is resident days × changes per day × units per change, plus a 15–20% buffer, expressed in cases rather than units. For a 100-bed Ontario home at 2.5 changes per resident day, that is roughly 250 underpads a day or about 7,500 a month. Our 60 x 90 cm five-layer underpads with SAP ship in 50-count packs for facility par planning.
What is the par formula?
Par (units) = residents × changes per resident day × units per change × days of cover × (1 + buffer). Use days of cover as the ordering cycle plus delivery lead time, and set the buffer at 15–20% for a home with stable occupancy or higher where admissions spike seasonally.
| Input | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 100 | Use occupied beds, not licensed beds |
| Changes per resident day | 2.5 | From the care plan, not the label |
| Units per change | 1 | 2 for overnight or bariatric profiles |
| Days of cover | 35 | 30-day cycle plus 5-day lead time |
| Buffer | 20% | Higher during admission peaks |
100 × 2.5 × 1 × 35 × 1.2 = 10,500 units, or 210 packs of 50.
Why do homes run out even when the arithmetic looks right?
Three reasons. The count is done in cases while staff issue in packs, so the shelf number and the par number never agree. Overnight use is understated, because a resident on two pads a night is double the day rate. And the buffer is set on the average month rather than the admission-heavy month. Fixing the unit of issue first solves most of it.
How does size affect par?
Underpad size changes the count, not the coverage. A 60 × 90 cm pad and a 30 × 36 inch pad are close in footprint but not identical, and mixing them within one care area creates a stock split that the par sheet has to reflect. Homes standardising on one size should confirm the actual dimensions rather than the marketing name.
How should the par sheet be reviewed?
Monthly, against resident days, and quarterly against the size mix. A par that has not been revisited in a year is usually 10–20% above actual need, which ties up storage and cash. A printable par and usage sheet plus the log generator keeps the count in the same unit as the par.
Homes buying across multiple sites can consolidate through wholesale and multi-site ordering, and the B2B wholesale collection lists the continence lines stocked for institutional buyers. Reselling? become a distributor.
Related reading
- Underpad and Brief Spend per Resident
- 60 x 90 cm and 30 x 36 inch Underpads: Sizing
- How Often to Restock Disposable Underpads
Frequently Asked Questions
How many underpads does a 100-bed home use per month?
At 2.5 changes per resident day and one pad per change, about 7,500 pads a month, or 150 packs of 50 before buffer.
What buffer should be added to par?
15 to 20% for stable occupancy, higher where admissions cluster. Base it on the busiest month, not the average.
Why count in packs rather than cases?
Because staff issue in packs. When the shelf count and the par are in different units, the two numbers never agree and stockouts look mysterious.
Does underpad size change the par?
It changes the unit count and the storage split, not the coverage. Confirm actual dimensions rather than relying on size names.
CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
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