Not medical advice. This guide is general purchasing information only.
Short answer: Stocked underpads come in two absorbency grades — moderate and ultra heavy — across sizes that run from a half-sheet (McKesson 23 x 36 in) to full-bed standard (Prevail® Total Care™ 30 x 36 in) to oversize (McKesson 30 x 30 and 36 x 36 in). For facility planning the reorder number is simple math: beds or chairs × estimated pads changed per resident per day × days in the period, rounded up to whole cases of 100. A 60-bed unit changing two pads per resident per day lands at roughly 36 cases per month — and that change-rate assumption is the one number you should verify against your own linen-round data before locking a standing order.
Underpad sizes compared
| Product (per stocked title) | Size | Absorbency (per title) | Pack | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKesson Moderate Absorbency Underpad | 23 x 36 in | Moderate | See listing | Daytime chair protection; toileting assistance; light leakage; partial-mattress coverage |
| McKesson Ultra Heavy Absorbency Underpad | 30 x 30 in | Ultra heavy | See listing | Bed and heavy-leak chair use; most of a standard mattress width |
| Prevail® Total Care™ Super Absorbent Polymer Underpad | 30 x 36 in | Super absorbent polymer (per title); see listing for absorbency grade | Bag of 25 / case of 100 | The workhorse facility size — full standard bed protection at scale |
| McKesson Ultra Heavy Absorbency Underpad | 36 x 36 in | Ultra heavy | See listing | Full bed plus side coverage; bariatric beds and oversized chairs; high-volume overnight |
Sizes and absorbency words in this table are taken directly from the stocked product titles on our catalog. If you are matching an existing contract, buy by the size printed on the case, not by an inch figure from memory.
How to choose the right pad
- Buy coverage first. The pad must extend under and past where leaks happen — under the hips on a bed, under and slightly up the back of a chair. A smaller pad moved twice costs more staff time than one correct-size pad.
- Then match absorbency grade. Moderate-grade pads suit chair use and frequent changes; ultra-heavy pads suit overnight and low-change-frequency stretches. Choose by leak volume and change rhythm; the product title carries the rating.
- Decide bag vs case. Prevail Total Care underpads ship in bags of 25 (convenient for a single household or one wing cart) and cases of 100 (the facility unit). Cases carry the better per-pad price.
- Do not treat underpads as worn products. They protect surfaces only. Pair them with briefs or pads from the incontinence collection.
How many a facility needs: the reorder table
All figures below use an assumption of 2 pad changes per resident per day. Your actual number depends on acuity — validate it against your own linen-round counts before setting a standing order. One case = 100 pads; results are rounded up to whole cases.
| Unit size (beds/chairs) | Pads/day | Pads/30-day month | Cases of 100/month | Suggested reorder cadence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 32 | 960 | 10 cases | Every 3 weeks |
| 25 | 50 | 1,500 | 15 cases | Every 2 weeks (8 cases) / monthly (15) |
| 40 | 80 | 2,400 | 24 cases | Every 2 weeks (12 cases) |
| 60 | 120 | 3,600 | 36 cases | Weekly, 9 cases per round |
| 80 | 160 | 4,800 | 48 cases | Weekly, 12 cases per round |
| 120 | 240 | 7,200 | 72 cases | Twice weekly, 36 cases per round |
Cadence assumes roughly one week of safety stock built into the rounding.
What we stock
- Underpads & liners collection — all sizes above
- McKesson Moderate Absorbency Underpad, 23 x 36 Inch — the chair and half-bed size
- McKesson Ultra Heavy Absorbency Underpads, 30 x 30 in and 36 x 36 in, and Prevail® Total Care™ Super Absorbent Polymer Underpad, 30 x 36 in (bag of 25 / case of 100) — titles on our catalog
- Incontinence collection and Adult briefs & underwear — the worn products underpads pair with, including Prevail® Per-Fit 360°™ Maximum Plus Incontinence Brief, Large
- Incontinence skin care — cleansers and wipes for routine hygiene purchasing (not treatment products)
- Facility care supplies — pair underpad cases with gloves, wipes and liners
- For businesses — set up the standing order and cadence column with our team
Frequently asked questions
What is the single most common sizing mistake? Buying 23 x 36 moderate pads for a full bed because they are cheaper per pad. Coverage failures drive extra changes, and the savings disappear in staff time. Standardize on 30 x 36 for beds and keep 23 x 36 for chairs.
Do the per-day numbers account for soiled-linen rounds? No — they are a rough consumption estimate, not linen-round counts. Facilities with high overnight change frequency or heavy-acuity memory-care units should re-run the table at 3 changes per resident per day before ordering.
Is a bag of 25 ever the right facility buy? Yes for pilots and overflow: one wing, a respite unit, or before committing to a case contract. Steady-state usage should move to cases of 100.
Does Medicare cover underpads for facility residents? Original Medicare does not cover incontinence supplies (medicare.gov). Ohio Medicaid covers incontinence supplies for eligible members with a physician certificate on file (Ohio Administrative Code 5160-10-21). Facility budgets typically line-item underpads as consumables regardless.
Can I mix sizes in one case? Assume cases ship in one size unless our team confirms otherwise on your quote (call (614) 654-6591).
Sources
- Medicare non-coverage of incontinence supplies: medicare.gov
- Ohio Medicaid coverage with physician certificate: Ohio Administrative Code 5160-10-21
Not medical advice. This guide is general purchasing information only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and it does not replace the advice of your doctor, nurse or other qualified clinician or the manufacturer's instructions for use. Always follow their guidance for your situation.
