Moving toward a single comprehensive electronic health record for every citizen in Andalucía, Spain

In 2001, less than 3% of primary care physicians were fully automated in the region of Andalucia, Spain. Now, six years later, more than 70% use a computer system called DIRAYA (Arabic for knowledge), which integrates all the information on each patient so that it is available when and where it is needed for his or her care. The DIRAYA system is a remarkable success story and is impressive in its achievements within a relatively short period of time, its acceptance by healthcare providers and institutions, its rapid implementation and its continued momentum and progress.