John Fleming, chlef 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 at other hospitals and have resulted in many complaints. Also, because of strict. regulations on amounts relmbursed for lab tests, payments recelved from insurance companies and governmental units have not been high enough to cover lab costs. Mr. Fleming has asked you to evaluate costs in the hospital's lab for the past month. The following information is available: a. Two types of tests are performed in the lab-blood tests and smears. During the past month, 800 blood tests and 3,100 smears were performed in the lab. b. Small glass plates are used in both types of tests. During the past month, the hospital purchased 15,509 plates at a cost of $59,520. 2,100 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, 2,100 hours of labor time were recorded in the lab at a cost of $22,785. d. The lab's variable overhead cost last month totaled $16,170. Valley Vlew Hospital has never used standard costs. By searching industry literature, however, you have determined the following nationwide averages for hospital labs: Plates: Three plates are required per lab test. These plates cost $4.00 each and are disposed of after the test is completed. Labor: Each blood test should require 0.8 hours to complete, and each smear should require 0.40 hours to complete. The average. cost of this lab time is $11.30 per hour. Overhead: Overhead cost is based on direct labor-hours. The average rate for varlable overhead is $7.20 per hour. Required: 1. Compute a materials price variance for the plates purchased last month and a materlals quantity variance for the plates used last month. 2. For labor cost in the lab: a. Compute a labor rate variance and a labor efficlency variance. b. In most hospitals, one-half of the workers in the lab are senior technicians and one-half are assistants. In an effort to reduce costs. Valley View Hospital employs only one-fourth senior techniclans and three-fourths assistants. Would you recornmend that this policy were performed in the lab. Small glass plates are used in both types of tests. During the past month, the hospital purchased 15,500 plates at a co: 2,100 of these plates were unused at the end of the month; no plates were on hand at the beginning of the month. During the past month, 2,100 hours of labor time were recorded in the lab at a cost of $22,785. - The lab's variable overhead cost last month totaled $16,170. alley View Hospital has never used standard costs. By searching industry literature, however, you have determined the fo ationwide averages for hospital labs: Plates: Three plates are required per lab test. These plates cost $4.00 each and are disposed of after the test is completed Labor: Each blood test should require 0.8 hours to complete, and each smear should require 0.40 hours to complete. The a cost of this lab time is $11.30 per hour. Overhead: Overhead cost is based on direct labor-hours. The average rate for varlable overhead is $7.20 per hour. Required: 1. Compute a materials price variance for the plates purchased last month and a materials quantity variance for the plates us. month. 2. For labor cost in the lab: a. Compute a labor rate variance and a labor efficiency variance. b. In most hospitals, one-half of the workers in the lab are senior technicians and one-half are assistants. In an effort to reduce Valley View Hospital employs only one-fourth senior technicians and three-fourths assistants. Would you recommend that this be continued? 3-a. Compute the variable overhead rate and efficiency variances