The entry of date and time information is a fundamental function within clinical and administrative processes. Therefore, healthcare professionals should have a clear, quick mechanism for entry of an accurate time value, and be assisted to disambiguate entries when necessary.

The basic time input control should comprise:

• An input area
• A default input dependent on the context in which the control is used
• A 'spin' control
• A tick box to indicate if the time is approximate (where supported by the specific clinical application)

The time input control can be used to enter fully specified times, approximate times and arithmetic shortcuts. In addition the 'seconds' element of time can be entered if required. The inclusion of seconds is at the discretion of the clinical application.