A software system for clinical monitoring.

Three graphical methods for monitoring clinician performance - the Funnel Plot, the CUSUM and the Variable Life Adjusted Display - are described. In addition the problems associated with incorporating and assessing risk factors into the process are discussed. The software system produced to implement these methodologies is presented; the creation of the user friendly interfaces, the underling algorithms and the structure and connectivity of the database are described. The methodology for piloting and evaluating the system is described. Drawing on developments in experimental usability we propose an experimental procedure aimed at evaluating possible changes in design so as to maximise the use of the system in terms of its accuracy of input and clarity of output.