Total individual items (masks, gloves, etc.) in stock.
Total number of staff requiring this PPE.
Number of shifts operating daily.
Avg items one person uses per shift.
Daily Burn Rate:0 units/day
Days Remaining:0 days
Estimated Depletion Date:—
function calculateBurnRate() {
// Get input values
var inventory = document.getElementById('ppe_inventory').value;
var staff = document.getElementById('ppe_staff').value;
var shifts = document.getElementById('ppe_shifts').value;
var usagePerShift = document.getElementById('ppe_consumption').value;
// Validation
if (inventory === "" || staff === "" || shifts === "" || usagePerShift === "") {
alert("Please fill in all fields to calculate the burn rate.");
return;
}
var inventoryVal = parseFloat(inventory);
var staffVal = parseFloat(staff);
var shiftsVal = parseFloat(shifts);
var usageVal = parseFloat(usagePerShift);
if (staffVal <= 0 || shiftsVal 0) {
daysRemaining = inventoryVal / dailyBurnRate;
} else {
daysRemaining = 9999; // Infinite if usage is 0
}
// Calculate Date
var today = new Date();
var resultDate = new Date();
resultDate.setDate(today.getDate() + Math.floor(daysRemaining));
// Format Date
var options = { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' };
var dateString = resultDate.toLocaleDateString("en-US", options);
if (daysRemaining > 3650) {
dateString = "Indefinite";
}
// Display Results
document.getElementById('res_burn_rate').innerHTML = Math.round(dailyBurnRate).toLocaleString() + " units/day";
document.getElementById('res_days_remaining').innerHTML = daysRemaining.toFixed(1) + " days";
document.getElementById('res_date').innerHTML = dateString;
// Display Alert Status
var alertBox = document.getElementById('res_alert');
alertBox.className = "ppe-alert"; // reset
if (daysRemaining < 7) {
alertBox.className += " alert-critical";
alertBox.innerHTML = "CRITICAL: Stock will be depleted in less than a week. Reorder immediately.";
} else if (daysRemaining < 30) {
alertBox.className += " alert-warning";
alertBox.innerHTML = "WARNING: Less than 30 days of supply remaining. Plan procurement soon.";
} else {
alertBox.className += " alert-safe";
alertBox.innerHTML = "SAFE: You have more than 30 days of supply at current usage rates.";
}
// Show result section
document.getElementById('ppe-result-section').style.display = 'block';
}
Why Use a Web-Based PPE Burn Rate Calculator vs. Excel?
Managing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply chains requires agility and accuracy. While the PPE burn rate calculator Excel spreadsheets provided by organizations like the CDC (NIOSH) are robust, they often lack the accessibility and speed required for rapid daily assessments. This web-based tool simplifies the process, allowing facility managers to instantly calculate their "days on hand" without managing complex spreadsheet files.
Understanding the Burn Rate Formula
The concept of "burn rate" in inventory management refers to the speed at which stock is consumed. For healthcare and safety equipment, the calculation relies on four primary variables:
Current Inventory: The total count of a specific item (e.g., N95 masks, nitrile gloves, isolation gowns).
Staff Count: The number of personnel who require the equipment to perform their duties safely.
Shifts Per Day: The operational tempo of the facility.
Usage Per Shift: The compliance rate or average number of times a staff member changes or uses new equipment per shift.
The formula used in this tool mirrors the logic found in standard Excel models:
Days Remaining = Current Inventory / Daily Burn Rate
Optimizing Your PPE Supply Chain
Knowing your burn rate is only the first step. To effectively manage supply, consider these strategies:
Calculate Separately by Category: Do not aggregate different types of PPE. Run this calculator separately for gloves, masks, and gowns, as their burn rates differ drastically.
Monitor Usage Spikes: If your "Usage Per Staff" increases unexpectedly, investigate if protocols are being followed or if a specific event is driving consumption.
Set Reorder Points: Use the "Days Remaining" metric to set hard triggers. For example, initiate a purchase order whenever supply drops below 15 days.
By moving away from static Excel sheets to dynamic calculation, facilities can react faster to shortages and ensure the safety of their workforce.