John Fleming, chief administrator for Valley View Hospital, is concerned about the costs for tests in the hospital's lab. Charges for lab tests are consistently higher at Valley View than other hospitals and have resulted in many complaints. Also, because of strict regulations on amounts reimbursed for lab tests, payments recelved from insurance companies and governmental units have not been high enough to cover lab costs. Mr. Fleming asked you to evaluate costs in the hospital's lab for the past month. The following information is avallable: a. Two types of tests are performed in the lab-blood tests and smears, During the past month, 250 blood tests and 2,100 smears were performed in the lab. b. Small glass plates are used in both types of tests. During the past month, the hospital purchased 10,500 plates at a cost of $35,910. 1,100 of these plates were unused at the end of the month; no plates were on hand at the beginning of the month. c. During the past month, 1,100 hours of labor time were recorded in the lab at a cost of $11,385. d. The lab's variable overhead cost last month totaled $7,370. Valley Viow Hospital has never used standard costs. By searching industry literature, however, you determined the following nationwide averages for hospital labs: Plates: Three plates are required plir lab test. These pletes cost $3.60 each and are disposed of after the test is completed. Labor: Each blood test should require 0.4 hour to complete, ond each smear should require 0.20 hour to complete. The average cost of this lab time is $11.10 per hour. Overhead: Overhead cost is based on direct labor-hours. The overage rate for variable overhead is $6.20 per hour. Required: 1. Compute a materials price variance for the plates purchased last month and a materials quantity variance for the plates used last month. 2. For labor cost in the lab: a. Compute a labor rate variance and a labor efficiency variance. b. In most hospitais, one-half of the workers in the lab are senior technicians and one-haif ore assistants. In an effort to reduce costs, Valley View Hospital employs only one-fourth senior technieians and three-fourths assistants. Would you recommend this policy be