A system comprising: a communications interface configured to receive data streams from a plurality of physiological sensors, each sensor measuring a different physiological parameter of a patient; at least one programmable data processor; and memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one programmable data processor, result in operations comprising: receiving one or more data streams from each of the plurality of sensors via the communications interface, the one or more data streams comprising varying values generated by the sensor and characterizing the associated physiological parameter; for each physiological sensor: repeatedly calculating a deviation from at least one pre-defined threshold; defining a plurality of alarm limits comprising first and second alarm limits above and/or below the pre-defined threshold, wherein the second alarm limit or limits represents greater deviation from the pre-defined threshold than the first alarm limit or limits; determining which of the defined alarm limits are exceeded by the calculated deviation; repeatedly assigning factors to the deviation based at least in part on any determined exceeded alarm limits; repeatedly determining a parameter score by averaging the factors over a pre-defined time window; repeatedly generating a patient health index by combining each of the determined parameter scores to characterize an overall health of the patient; and repeatedly providing data characterizing the patient health index. a communications interface configured to receive data streams from a plurality of physiological sensors, each sensor measuring a different physiological parameter of a patient; at least one programmable data processor; and memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one programmable data processor, result in operations comprising: receiving one or more data streams from each of the plurality of sensors via the communications interface, the one or more data streams comprising varying values generated by the sensor and characterizing the associated physiological parameter; for each physiological sensor: repeatedly calculating a deviation from at least one pre-defined threshold; defining a plurality of alarm limits comprising first and second alarm limits above and/or below the pre-defined threshold, wherein the second alarm limit or limits represents greater deviation from the pre-defined threshold than the first alarm limit or limits; determining which of the defined alarm limits are exceeded by the calculated deviation; repeatedly assigning factors to the deviation based at least in part on any determined exceeded alarm limits; repeatedly determining a parameter score by averaging the factors over a pre-defined time window; repeatedly generating a patient health index by combining each of the determined parameter scores to characterize an overall health of the patient; and repeatedly providing data characterizing the patient health index. receiving one or more data streams from each of the plurality of sensors via the communications interface, the one or more data streams comprising varying values generated by the sensor and characterizing the associated physiological parameter; for each physiological sensor: repeatedly calculating a deviation from at least one pre-defined threshold; defining a plurality of alarm limits comprising first and second alarm limits above and/or below the pre-defined threshold, wherein the second alarm limit or limits represents greater deviation from the pre-defined threshold than the first alarm limit or limits; determining which of the defined alarm limits are exceeded by the calculated deviation; repeatedly assigning factors to the deviation based at least in part on any determined exceeded alarm limits; repeatedly determining a parameter score by averaging the factors over a pre-defined time window; repeatedly calculating a deviation from at least one pre-defined threshold; defining a plurality of alarm limits comprising first and second alarm limits above and/or below the pre-defined threshold, wherein the second alarm limit or limits represents greater deviation from the pre-defined threshold than the first alarm limit or limits; determining which of the defined alarm limits are exceeded by the calculated deviation; repeatedly assigning factors to the deviation based at least in part on any determined exceeded alarm limits; repeatedly determining a parameter score by averaging the factors over a pre-defined time window; repeatedly generating a patient health index by combining each of the determined parameter scores to characterize an overall health of the patient; and repeatedly providing data characterizing the patient health index.