A method of displaying a reading or data value, the method comprising: displaying a reading or data value on a medical monitor, wherein the reading or data value is a non-continuously measured physiological parameter of patients; and at least one of: (a) displaying an icon image with the displayed data value, wherein the icon image emulates a clock changing with time to covey the age of the displayed data value, wherein the icon image is displayed as a background for the displayed data value and wherein the the icon image emulates a clock by displaying one of: - a circle or box divided into wedges (600, 700) that change color progressively analogous to a hand of a clock; - an hourglass comprising an upper section progressively reducing in volume and a lower section progressively increasing in volume; or - a circle with a clock hand that advances with time; and (b) changing a luminous intensity or color of the displayed data value or a label thereof, and displaying a subscript or superscript adjacent the data value or a label thereof to indicate an age threshold, such that the display is indicative of the data value and the age of the data value. displaying a reading or data value on a medical monitor, wherein the reading or data value is a non-continuously measured physiological parameter of patients; and at least one of: (a) displaying an icon image with the displayed data value, wherein the icon image emulates a clock changing with time to covey the age of the displayed data value, wherein the icon image is displayed as a background for the displayed data value and wherein the the icon image emulates a clock by displaying one of: - a circle or box divided into wedges (600, 700) that change color progressively analogous to a hand of a clock; - an hourglass comprising an upper section progressively reducing in volume and a lower section progressively increasing in volume; or - a circle with a clock hand that advances with time; and (b) changing a luminous intensity or color of the displayed data value or a label thereof, and displaying a subscript or superscript adjacent the data value or a label thereof to indicate an age threshold, (a) displaying an icon image with the displayed data value, wherein the icon image emulates a clock changing with time to covey the age of the displayed data value, wherein the icon image is displayed as a background for the displayed data value and wherein the the icon image emulates a clock by displaying one of: - a circle or box divided into wedges (600, 700) that change color progressively analogous to a hand of a clock; - an hourglass comprising an upper section progressively reducing in volume and a lower section progressively increasing in volume; or - a circle with a clock hand that advances with time; and - a circle or box divided into wedges (600, 700) that change color progressively analogous to a hand of a clock; - an hourglass comprising an upper section progressively reducing in volume and a lower section progressively increasing in volume; or - a circle with a clock hand that advances with time; and (b) changing a luminous intensity or color of the displayed data value or a label thereof, and displaying a subscript or superscript adjacent the data value or a label thereof to indicate an age threshold, such that the display is indicative of the data value and the age of the data value.