This review explores the critical role of Quality Control in laboratories, focusing on strategies for detecting and managing errors within clinical and public health settings. To ensure the reliability, accuracy, and timeliness of laboratory results, the implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) is essential. This paper explores the 12 Quality System Essentials (QSEs) defined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) as a framework for establishing a successful laboratory QMS infrastructure. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS), as emphasized by both the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and CLSI, in supporting the full laboratory environment across pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases. The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on laboratory operations underscores the necessity of robust LQMS for managing high test volumes and mitigating risks. The review further discusses tools available for laboratory quality managers, including the World Health Organization's Laboratory Quality Stepwise Implementation (LQSI) tool and third-party LQMS software, which aid in modernizing processes and facilitating accreditation efforts. Challenges such as consolidation of services, outsourcing, and staffing issues are also examined, with a call for systemic changes to ensure quality improvement and patient safety.