> 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 Medtronic LABS’ open-source primary healthcare platform for connected, outcomes-focused care across communities and primary health facilities. It supports the patient journey from screening and early identification through diagnosis, treatment and ongoing follow-up, helping care teams work together around a patient’s changing needs. The value of digitization lies in how it changes care. SPICE combines patient information with clinical decision support to help health workers identify risk, prioritize patients who need attention and determine the next step in care. It also gives health system leaders visibility into gaps in service delivery and patient outcomes, helping them use data to improve how care is delivered. SPICE connects community and facility care in both directions. A community health worker’s screening findings, assessments and referrals inform the facility’s clinical review. The diagnosis, prescription and care plan then guide follow-up in the community, helping the health worker understand what to assess, when to follow up and when further clinical review is needed. Subsequent community visits add to the patient’s record, allowing care teams to monitor progress and respond as needs change. This continuing loop supports treatment adherence and continuity of care over time. Built for settings with limited connectivity, SPICE supports offline community workflows and uses open standards to support integration with national health information systems. It is recognized as a Digital Public Good, and Medtronic LABS works with Ministries of Health to adapt implementation to country needs and plan for long-term country ownership. ## Service blueprint ![SPICE service blueprint: how a patient, community health worker, clinician and the SPICE platform work together from community screening through referral, medical review, treatment plan and community case management](https://2347658875-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F7inBQ0zjo0nwpqK5625P%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-565391fb2b9a0405f1715d618b3780613b2a0748%2Fspice-service-blueprint.png?alt=media) ## 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**.