1. What is Burn Rate?

The Burn Rate is a metric used to calculate the rate at which personal protective equipment (PPE) or other medical supplies are being consumed. It helps healthcare facilities estimate how long their current stock will last.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Burn Rate equation:

Where:

• Daily Usage — Amount of supplies used per day (units/day)
• Stock — Current inventory of supplies (units)

Explanation: The equation calculates how quickly supplies are being consumed relative to current inventory.

3. Importance of Burn Rate Calculation

Details: Calculating burn rate is crucial for supply chain management, especially during public health emergencies. It helps predict when supplies will be exhausted and informs procurement decisions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter daily usage in units/day and current stock in units. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does the burn rate value mean?
A: The burn rate represents the fraction of total stock being used each day. A burn rate of 0.05 means 5% of current stock is being used daily.

Q2: How can I estimate days remaining?
A: Days remaining = 1 / Burn Rate. For example, a burn rate of 0.05 would mean approximately 20 days of supply remaining.

Q3: What's considered a high burn rate?
A: This depends on context, but generally rates above 0.1 (10% daily) indicate rapid consumption that may require immediate attention.

Q4: Should I track burn rate for different PPE items separately?
A: Yes, different items (gloves, masks, gowns) typically have different usage patterns and should be tracked individually.

Q5: How often should burn rate be calculated?
A: During normal operations, weekly calculation may suffice. During emergencies or supply shortages, daily calculation is recommended.