> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://spice.docs.medtroniclabs.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://spice.docs.medtroniclabs.org/overview/readme.md).

# What is SPICE?

## Overview

SPICE is an open-source digital platform designed with and for health systems, health workers and communities. It supports data-driven, outcomes-focused care at both the community and primary care levels. SPICE is certified as a [digital public good](https://app.digitalpublicgoods.net/a/10764), and Medtronic LABS works with Ministries of Health to plan for long-term country ownership.

Digitization is not enough. Collecting data does not by itself drive outcomes. SPICE helps health systems collect high-quality data and *use* it to make decisions.

Community health work and facility care often run in silos. SPICE links them in both directions. A community health worker's screening, visit or referral appears at the facility, and the facility's diagnosis, prescription and follow-up plan flow back to the community. Closing that loop between communities and facilities is key to treatment adherence and, ultimately, to health outcomes.

## What SPICE does

* **Registers households and members** in the community, with consent, so that care is organised around the family and the village as well as the individual patient.
* **Supports community-level care** for maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases (such as hypertension and diabetes), eye care and other primary care services, using guided assessments and clinical decision support.
* **Supports facility-level care**: medical review, diagnosis confirmation, investigations (lab tests), prescribing and dispensing.
* **Tracks follow-up and referrals** between community and facility, so that patients are not lost between levels of care.
* **Works offline.** The mobile app is designed for areas with limited connectivity. Work is saved on the device and synchronised when a connection is available.
* **Gives managers and supervisors visibility** through dashboards, reports and analytics.
* **Adapts to each programme.** Workflows, forms, medications, lab tests, languages and the administrative hierarchy are configurable, so a country or programme can set up SPICE for its own guidelines.
* **Interoperates through open standards.** Clinical data is stored in HL7 FHIR format, so it can be shared with other health information systems.

See [Capabilities](/overview/capabilities.md) for more detail, and [Patient Journey](/overview/patient-journey.md) for an end-to-end example.

## Platform components

| Component                        | Used by                                   | Purpose                                                                                      |
| -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mobile app (Android)             | Community health workers, facility staff  | Registration, screening, assessment, follow-up, medical review, dispensing; works offline    |
| Admin web portal                 | Administrators                            | Set up the administrative hierarchy, facilities, users, workflows, medications and lab tests |
| Reporting web application        | Programme managers, report administrators | Dashboards, reports and exports                                                              |
| Backend services and FHIR server | The above applications                    | Business logic, data storage, synchronisation, notifications                                 |

See [Architecture](/architecture/architecture.md) for how these fit together.

## Impact

SPICE-enabled programmes have screened over 500,000 people, enrolled 230,000 and measurably improved the lives of more than 120,000 patients. In multiple peer-reviewed studies, Medtronic LABS has shown significant decreases in clinical indicators such as blood pressure and blood glucose for patients across several sub-Saharan African countries.

* The *Journal of Hypertension* reports a 15.2 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure in the uncontrolled subgroup.
* The *Journal of Clinical Hypertension* reports a 17.6 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure in the uncontrolled subgroup.
* A real-world evidence study of 52,000 patients with hypertension over six months across four countries shows a 7.9 mmHg reduction in blood pressure, control rates improving by 17.7%, and a shift in hypertension severity towards less severe categories.
* A real-world evidence study of 20,800 patients with diabetes over six months across four countries shows improved fasting and random blood glucose control across the population.

## Where to go next

* New to SPICE? Start with [Capabilities](/overview/capabilities.md), [Users & Roles](/overview/spice-users.md) and the [Glossary](/overview/glossary.md).
* Using the app in the field? See the **User Guide**.
* Configuring a deployment? See the **Admin Guide**.
* Planning a deployment? See **Deploy**.