Absorbency in millilitres is the number that decides whether an underpad does its job. A pad rated at 500 mL and a pad rated at 1,500 mL look similar on a shelf but behave very differently at 2 a.m. Match the rating to the volume a resident actually produces between changes, then match the size to the bed or chair, and leakage stops being a nightly event.
A worked example is the CliniEco Medical Adult Underpad 60×90 cm — 5-Layer SAP, 500 ct Case, where the millilitre rating and the bed size are quoted together.
What Does the Absorbency Rating on an Underpad Actually Mean?
The rating is a capacity figure, normally in millilitres or in descriptive tiers. It reflects how much fluid the core can hold under test conditions, not how long a resident can stay dry. Real-world performance is lower than the laboratory figure for two reasons: fluid arrives in bursts rather than evenly, and pressure from a seated or lying body reduces the usable capacity of the core.
A structural point that matters more than the printed number is the construction. Pads with a super-absorbent polymer layer lock fluid into a gel, while pads that rely on fluff pulp alone hold less and feel wetter. Five-layer construction with a polymer core and a waterproof backing is the common baseline for heavy absorbency.
How Do You Match a Rating to a Resident?
Work from observed wetness rather than from product tiers. If bedding is wet at every change, the pad is under-rated or the change interval is too long. If the pad is barely marked, the resident is being over-serviced and cost is going up for no clinical gain.
| Observed use | Practical pad rating | Typical change interval |
|---|---|---|
| Light spotting, mobile resident, chair protection | 300–500 mL | Per care round |
| Moderate, ambulatory with assistance | 800–1,000 mL | Every 3–4 hours |
| Heavy, bedbound or overnight use | 1,500–2,000 mL | Per turning schedule, plus on wake |
| Combined with a brief for double protection | 1,500 mL and up | Aligned to the brief change |
Which Size Should You Choose: 30x36 inch or 60x90 cm?
These two sizes are close in footprint but not identical, and the difference affects coverage on wider beds and chairs.
| Size | Metric equivalent | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 30 × 36 inch | 76 × 91 cm | Standard beds, chairs, stretchers, procedure tables |
| 60 × 90 cm | about 24 × 35 inch | Beds and trolleys where metric sizing is specified |
Choose the wider pad when the resident turns frequently or when two staff perform the change, because a pad that shifts exposes the sheet beneath it. Choose the narrower pad for chairs and recliners, where a large pad bunches and is uncomfortable.
How Should a Pad Be Positioned to Work at Full Rating?
Centre the pad under the resident's hips and mid-back, with the waterproof backing down. Smooth the pad flat; folds create channels that let fluid run off the absorbent area. When a brief is also used, place the pad beneath the brief so the brief handles direct contact and the pad catches overflow.
- Check the backing is fully under the absorbent core, not curled at the edge
- Replace the pad whenever the brief is changed, even if it looks dry
- Store pads flat; compression in a tight cupboard can crease the core
- Keep two sizes on the unit rather than one, so chairs and beds are both covered
How Do You Reduce Cost Without Raising Leakage?
The lever is matching, not downgrading. Facilities that standardise on one heavy pad for every resident usually spend more than facilities that run a light pad for chair use and a heavy pad for night use. Track two numbers for a month: the share of changes where bedding was wet, and the number of pads used per resident per day. If leakage is low and pad count is high, you are over-serviced; if leakage is high, the rating or the interval is wrong.
Bulk ordering helps only after the size and rating are correct. Buying a case of the wrong rating simply moves the cost from the shelf to the laundry.
For a sizing comparison across jurisdictions, see our guide to underpad sizing in Canada and the US, and for the brief side of the same problem see our breakdown of absorbency classes for Canadian long-term care.
Related reading
Underpad sizing in Canada and the US · 60x90 cm versus 30x36 inch underpads · Incontinence care range
Use the care record log sheet and the record generator, ask a compliance specialist about your documentation, or set up a wholesale account for case quantities. Reselling? become a distributor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1,500 mL absorbency mean on an underpad?
It means the core can hold about 1,500 millilitres of fluid under test conditions. In use, the effective capacity is lower because fluid arrives in bursts and body weight compresses the core.
Should underpad absorbency match the brief absorbency?
They serve different jobs. The brief handles direct contact and the pad catches overflow, so the pad can be rated at or below the brief as long as the pair together matches the resident's output.
How many underpads does a bedbound resident need per day?
Most facilities use between four and eight pads per resident per day, aligned to the turning and change schedule. Counts outside that range usually signal a rating mismatch rather than a care problem.
Is a wider underpad always better?
No. Wider pads suit frequent turning and two-person changes, while narrower pads suit chairs and recliners where a large pad bunches and becomes uncomfortable.
CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
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