Underpad Selection Checklist for Pressure Injury Prevention

Choosing an underpad for an incontinent resident comes down to two questions: where will the pad be used, and how much output does that person have? A pad that fits the surface and manages moisture is a working part of a pressure injury prevention program, but it is not a substitute for repositioning and skin care. Work through this checklist when you review stock, compare products, or set up a care cart.

The Role of Underpads in Pressure Injury Prevention

Moisture from incontinence is a contributing factor in skin breakdown. When urine or stool stays against the skin, wetness softens the tissue and friction can do more damage. An underpad intercepts that moisture at the surface, so bedding stays drier and skin sees less wetness between turns. That is the real job of the pad: moisture control and surface protection.

Underpads also protect the mattress and cut down on full linen changes. Their clinical role, though, is support: prevention programs combine risk assessment, repositioning, skin care, nutrition, and appropriate support surfaces. An underpad such as the CliniEco Medical Underpad (60 x 90 cm, 5-layer with SAP) manages moisture; it never replaces the repositioning schedule in your facility protocol.

Underpad Selection Checklist

Use this list when evaluating a pad, whether trialing a new product or comparing quotes. Every item should earn a yes before the pad reaches the cart:

• Size matches the surface. Bed pads for beds, chair pads for chairs; a pad that is too small leaves bedding exposed.
• Absorbency matches output. Heavy absorbency for heavier incontinence, lighter construction for occasional protection.
• SAP core locks fluid away. Superabsorbent polymer pulls wetness from the skin instead of letting it pool.
• Waterproof PE backing. Keeps moisture off the mattress and reduces full linen changes.
• Soft, breathable upper sheet. The layer against the skin should feel gentle and allow some air movement.
• The pad stays in place. A pad that shifts into folds traps moisture and adds pressure; check how it behaves during a turn.
• Skin-friendly pH. Choose products designed to be gentle on skin already at risk.
• Stock rotation. Confirm your system uses older cartons first and reorders before the shelf runs low.

Daily Use Checklist for Care Teams

A pad only performs when it is used correctly. Post this list at the supply cart and use it during rounds:

• Reposition the resident every two hours per your facility protocol. Never leave someone on a pad in place of turning.
• Inspect skin at every pad change; look for redness that does not fade when pressure is relieved.
• Change the pad as soon as it is wet or soiled; do not stack a dry pad over a wet one.
• Never fold a pad under the resident. Folds create pressure ridges that can mark skin.
• Use chair-size pads in wheelchairs and recliners; a bed pad folded to chair size behaves like a folded pad.
• Document skin changes and pad changes so trends are visible to the whole care team.

Bed Pads vs. Chair Pads: Size and Feature Comparison

Most facilities stock two workhorse sizes. The CliniEco Disposable Underpads (Heavy Absorbency, 30 x 36 Inch) cover seating surfaces, while the 60 x 90 cm size handles standard beds. Here is how they compare for typical use:

The table reflects typical product ranges, not a prescription for any individual. Confirm each resident's output, mobility, and care plan before standardizing a size.

Skin Integrity Reminders Between Changes

Pad changes are natural checkpoints for skin care:

• Keep skin clean and dry. Cleanse at each change, pat dry, and avoid rubbing.
• Use barrier products as your facility protocol directs.
• Escalate any stage 1 redness, skin that stays red after pressure is relieved, to the care plan review quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can underpads prevent pressure injuries on their own?

No. Underpads manage moisture and protect the surface beneath the resident, but prevention depends on the full program: risk assessment, repositioning, skin care, and nutrition. Leaving someone on a pad instead of turning them increases risk.

What size underpad should a facility order?

Order for where the pads will be used. A 60 x 90 cm pad is a common bed size and suits residents with heavier output, while 30 x 36 inch pads suit chairs and lighter use. Most facilities keep a mix, and the mix should follow your resident profile and care plans rather than habit.

How often should underpads be changed?

Change any pad that is wet or soiled, and check at every scheduled turn. Frequency varies with output and time of day; some residents need changes more often than every two hours. Follow your facility protocol and document each change and skin check so patterns are easy to spot.

CliniEco is a Canadian supplier focused on helping clinics, LTC homes, and care teams stay compliant, stocked, and ready for daily resident care. The underpads linked in this checklist are dependable, reorder-friendly staples used across Canadian facilities. Review your current stock against this checklist, then order the sizes that match your resident profile.

Related Reading

Explore more guides in this category:

• Birth Center Supplies: Underpads and Gloves for Delivery Rooms
• Superabsorbent Polymer Cores: How Medical Underpads Lock in Fluid
• Pressure Injury Supply Kits: Gauze, Tape and Underpads for LTC

Related reading: explore our long-term care and home care resources.

start with our underpad buying guide for absorbency, sizing and cost.