From the target server view in System logs you can see if an update failes to install.
I have this rule in place, and watch it as I deploy windows updates to servers.
I also have another rule built around just the installation running. This is also very useful if extra people / service accounts have admin rights and run an installer on a server
These are very useful for real time notification of servers and update status.
The problem I have is, and assume you have the same, is I do not have Solarwinds installed on every workstation... But I do want notification directly if a workstation fails on specific updates, a bunch of updates, or hasnt communicated with WSUS in X number of days. This would indicate it has issues directly, and could be troublshot direclty.
You have respiked my interest in this, and I will dig into it more now.
I am unsure if the above are of any use to you, or if you already have simular in place.