# CLQMS Project Overview

## Project Purpose

CLQMS (Clinical Laboratory Quality Management System) is a **headless REST API backend** designed for modern clinical laboratory workflows. This API-only system provides comprehensive JSON endpoints for laboratory operations without any view layer. Frontend applications (web, mobile, desktop) consume these REST endpoints to build laboratory information systems.

### Core Features
- Patient registration and management
- Laboratory test ordering and tracking
- Specimen lifecycle management (collection → transport → reception → prep → analysis)
- Result entry with reference range validation
- Multi-level result verification (Technical → Clinical → Reporting)
- Instrument integration via Edge API (tiny-edge middleware)
- Master data management (value sets, test definitions, reference ranges)
- Quality control and calibration tracking

### Product Vision
To provide a headless, API-first laboratory information system serving as the backend for any frontend client while streamlining laboratory operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and integrating seamlessly with laboratory instruments.

## Technology Stack

| Component | Specification |
|-----------|---------------|
| **Language** | PHP 8.1+ (PSR-compliant) |
| **Framework** | CodeIgniter 4 (API-only mode) |
| **Database** | MySQL 8.0+ |
| **Security** | JWT (JSON Web Tokens) via firebase/php-jwt |
| **Testing** | PHPUnit 10.5+ |
| **API Format** | RESTful JSON |
| **Architecture** | Clean architecture, API-first design |

### Key Dependencies
- `codeigniter4/framework` - Main framework
- `firebase/php-jwt` - JWT authentication
- `fakerphp/faker` - Test data generation
- `phpunit/phpunit` - Unit/feature testing

## Strategic Pillars
- **Precision & Accuracy**: Strict validation for all laboratory parameters and reference ranges
- **Scalability**: Optimized for high-volume diagnostic environments
- **Compliance**: Built-in audit trails and status history for full traceability
- **Interoperability**: Modular architecture designed for LIS, HIS, and analyzer integrations

## Key Characteristics
- **API-Only**: No view layer, no server-side rendering
- **Frontend Agnostic**: Any client can consume these APIs
- **JSON-First**: All requests/responses use JSON format
- **Stateless**: Each API request is independent with JWT authentication
- **UTC Normalization**: Automatic UTC timestamp handling via BaseModel

## Current Architecture Status
The system is undergoing an **Architectural Redesign** to consolidate legacy structures into a high-performance, maintainable schema focusing on:
- Unified Test Definitions (consolidating technical, calculated, and site-specific test data)
- Reference Range Centralization (unified engine for numeric, threshold, text, and coded results)
- Ordered Workflow Management (precise tracking of orders from collection to verification)