Introduction Laboratories provide many intricate services, including sample collection, consultation services, and diagnostics testing. The primary objective of the diagnostic service is to obtain the correct results from the right patient and to deliver them to the concerned doctor without errors or delays. The mechanisms within laboratories should ensure the quality and integrity of samples and test results in order to protect patients from wrong results. Such mechanisms include policies and procedures. However, performing the right tests and procedures on the wrong samples still results in incorrect results (LLopis, Alvarez, and Martínez-Brú 184). This paper looks at pre-analytical errors and the implementation of the principle of zero tolerance of error identification in the laboratory. Pre-analytical errors The two primary pre-analytical errors are identification problems and sample problems. Identification problems arise when wrong results are linked to the patients. These errors occur when the sample collector fails to ensure that the patient identification corresponds to the identification band, or when the samples collected are not labeled with the sample identification at the patient’s bedside. The main identification problems, according to RCPA KIMMS (Key Incident Management and Monitoring System) Quality Assurance Program, include unlabelled samples, mislabeled samples, and samples lacking at least two identifiers. The issuing of incorrect patients leads to redundant treatments, lack of treatment, and in some cases, death (Bayley 4). Sample problems occur when the samples collected cannot be used to perform the required tests. The analysis of such samples causes an inaccurate representation of the patient’s condition. These problems are identified during the analytical phase. They misinform the doctor when interpreting the results for treatment. Some of the reasons why samples may be unsuitable for testing include wrong samples, contaminated samples, and wrong storage or transportation of the sample. These samples are inappropriate for examination and must be discarded, and a repeat sample requested (Bayley 7). Implementation of zero tolerance Implementation of the zero-tolerance policy is aimed at preventing the occurrence of patients obtaining wrong test results. Zero tolerance refers to the rejection of all samples whose identity has been compromised in order to make certain that the right results are reported on the appropriate patient. Zero tolerance also emphasizes the significance of patient sample and identification to the sample collector. This principle helps to eliminate the occurrence of errors such as “Wrong Blood in Tube’. However, there are some samples that cannot be readily repeated. These samples that must be processed are known as irreplaceable samples. They include surgical samples, biopsies, lumbar puncture samples, and blood gas samples. In the event that the identity of irreplaceable samples is compromised, the laboratory should inform the appropriate doctor in order to consider the error when interpreting the test result. Organizational impact The implementation of zero tolerance to pre-analytical errors ensures that sample collectors get the correct sample the first time. The policy can be enforced by ensuring that laboratory personn