Abstract Nowadays, physicians and public health programme managers are dependent on the technological advancements in health laboratories to make knowledgeable assessments. At the same time, people have continued to demand quality laboratory results. The definition of quality services has been elaborated via the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). Health laboratories are nowadays required to provide quality service, through the use of quality equipment. This process requires unremitting monitoring and frequent assessment using various evaluation tools. The World Health Organization has been a strong supporter for the execution and evaluation of quality in health laboratories. The application of Lean thinking in the health care system has been aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing waste and enhancing a united working environment. Key words ISO – international Organization of Standardization WHO – World Health Organization Accreditation – official identification by a trustworthy body that a laboratory is proficient in conducting its operations. Lean thinking – Lean thinking is the detection and abolition of waste which allows managers to encourage precision via progressive development Introduction Quality management and emphasis on safety in the laboratory is an old concept. The laboratories have been observed to rely on guidance developing organizations, for aid in procedures and accreditation programs. An example of such organizations is the CLSI, formerly referred to as NCCLS. The quality of services provided by a laboratory is dependent on the quality of reagents and equipment used, as well as the suppliers. The techniques used in quality management have been tried and tested since the period of the great depression, with major developments being noticed in Canada. This development was possible through leadership and establishment of international standards (Guarriello 1997, p 69). Method The research was based on various articles, which were selected based on a few factors. These articles used had globally identifiable effects. The material used was also appropriate, in terms of the methodology used to conduct the investigation, the number of subjects in the research, their age and gender, as well as their response rates to the survey. The literature used was mainly published literature, and academic research, obtained from on-line sources such as PubMed and Embase. The material obtained was categorized into various sections in order to highlight the problems faced by laboratory Healthcare systems, identify causes and propose remedies, based on Lean thinking. The discussions of statistical data were beneficial in supporting the advantages of Lean thinking in diagnostic laboratories (Ben-Tovim, et al. 2008, p 29). Laboratory errors Through various studies conducted to determine the variables that affect the quality of laboratory services, some common factors were found to be the leading causes of unreliable health laboratory services. Laboratory errors were observed to be a result of understaffing, inadequate attention to detail, poor sample control, poor workload management, poor verification of results, non-validated tests, time pressures and lack of quality control and a