Better theatre management through intelligent reporting: the TIME (theatre information, management and efficiency) system.

Hospital managers, clinicians or their colleges, and the government departments of health are interested in a variety of information for understanding the performance of the health care system and making informed decisions. Intelligent reporting aims to provide the most relevant and reliable information to major stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based practice. The key element in the reporting system is its ability to identify unsatisfactory practice. The TIME (theatre information, management and efficiency) system developed at the North Queensland Clinical School and James Cook University aims to provide intelligible reports for better theatre management. It reflects an effective amalgamation of surgical expertise and systems management principles.