Grei Sebastian, MLS(ASCP), Receives Nationally Recognized Award for Scientific Laboratory Research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sheridan, Montana, August 23, 2023) -The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) presented the 2023 Scientific Research Award to Francis Grei Sebastian, MLS(ASCP), during the ASCLS, AGT, SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting on June 28, 2023, at Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Sebastian is a full-time laboratory manager at Ruby Valley Medical Center and pursuing his doctorate in Healthcare Administration at Oklahoma State University.
The ASCLS Scientific Research Award recognizes developed scientific research in medical laboratory science. The scientific merit must incorporate quality and patient care improvement benefits, uniqueness, be timely and critical to laboratory practices, and have a valuable impact on the ASCLS Body of Knowledge or Scope of Practice. Sebastian's reaction: "I am grateful and blessed. Thank you for the honor of receiving the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science 2023 Scientific Research Award, and all your support!"
Sebastian’s research paper, “Cost of Quality Model: Tool in Diagnosing and Improving Quality Cost Management in a Critical Access Hospital Laboratory,” aims to address the 20-25% in wasted healthcare spending, promote awareness of the costs associated with quality programs, and verify the benefits of the model in healthcare settings. The applied Cost of Quality (COQ) model can improve a clinical laboratory's profitability, savings, budgeting, and processes. It also bridges the gaps and uncertainties of COQ application in the laboratory or healthcare industry. The COQ model effectively identified waste, reevaluated processes, and cost outcomes. This is relevant, especially in organizations with high operational costs and employees who care less about the financial side of operations. Finally, integrating the COQ principles in the laboratory served as a tool to balance quality and cost management.
“It is common to hear hospital or laboratory managers or administrative staff promoting cost-reduction strategies to the extent of compromising quality,” said Sebastian. Before moving abroad, he witnessed how laboratories cut one urine strip into three sections to reduce the cost per test without considering the impact on the accuracy and reliability of results. He also witnessed one laboratory that collected samples in a syringe to estimate the complete blood count parameters (without anticoagulant) and processed the sample for chemistry tests after the specimen stood for hours at an uncontrolled room temperature. “This is for the sake of profit. The sad part is that this strategy was done to the point of compromising the quality of care,” Sebastian noted. At that point, he knew that he wanted to focus on quality management and business administration to avoid these negative occurrences and promote the value of the Medical Laboratory Profession. In his research, Sebastian surmised that although “healthcare is expensive” and competitive, something can be done to make the situation better. One of the solutions is to use the COQ model, which is a concrete tool and produces positive outcomes.
The Ruby Valley Medical Center is proud to have Grei Sebastian on the management team and congratulates him on his ASCLS award and practical research efforts.
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About the Ruby Valley Medical Center
The Ruby Valley Medical Center is a critical access hospital and Montana designated trauma receiving facility serving Sheridan, Twin Bridges, Alder, Laurin, Silver Star, Virginia City, Nevada City, Waterloo, and Whitehall. The Medical Center offers five in-patient beds, two observation beds, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, physical, occupational and speech therapy, swing bed, 24- hour emergency care and a highly qualified nursing staff. Our healthcare providers support patients through the Ruby Valley Medical Center and the clinics in Sheridan and Twin Bridges. Our clinics offer a wide range of healthcare services including pediatrics, well-woman exams, sports physicals, geriatrics, mental health, chiropractic and osteopathic care, non-surgical pain management and tele-medicine to off-site specialists. Our visiting specialists provide surgical, cardiology, OB/GYN and hearing services. The Ruby Valley Medical Center also provides mobile emergency medical services through Ruby Valley Emergency Medical Services. The Ruby Valley Medical Center receives financial support from the Ruby Valley Healthcare Foundation and the Ruby Valley Medical Center Auxiliary.
