Design and implementation of a point-of-care computerized system for drug therapy in Stockholm metropolitan health region--Bridging the gap between knowledge and practice.

Introduction: Stockholm County Council is the largest health care provider in Sweden with an annual budget of US$ 5 billion and catering the needs of a metropolitan population of 2 million people. About 10% of health care costs are used on drugs. In 1996 Stockholm County Council decided to address the main problems associated with the process and the quality of drug prescribing.