Smith said the dashboard looks like a car dashboard with lights, dials and needles to indicate each of the 129 parameters.

"We set limits on each of the parameters and use a combination of colors to show warnings, and gauges to show rates," he said. "All indicators are classified into four main areas - HR, Quality, Finance, and Clinical (inpatients and operating theatre). The display of these functions is customizable for each individual enabling them to view their significant data their way and then drill down for more detail should there be concerns. The dashboard is in fact a Web page built [with the] AJAX process which enables instant updating of individual elements on the page without a total refresh."

Smith said executive management now know within an instant which areas need their focus depending on the alerts preset within the dashboard system.

"At last now we get to see the problem as it happens and have time on our side to look for the solutions in days rather then weeks," he said.