A method, a system, and a computer-readable medium are provided for generating an alert based on a physiological characteristic of a patient. A user interface window is configured to allow a user to define a first alert value, an indicator of a physiological characteristic of a patient associated with the first alert value, and an application type indicator for the alert rule indicating a group for which to apply the alert rule. A value and a characteristic indicator of the physiological characteristic of the patient are received. A group indicator associated with the patient is received. The received first alert value is identified by comparing the received characteristic indicator to the indicator. The received value is compared to the identified first alert value, and the received group indicator is compared to the application type indicator. An alert is generated based on the comparison.