Sergeant receives $10,000 for IDEA

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MINOT --  Most people only dream of catching a $10,000 windfall, but for a sergeant in the 5th Medical Group here, his idea allowed the dream to become reality.

Tech. Sgt. Kieran Carolan, NCO-in-charge diagnostic imaging, submitted his suggestion though the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program June 28 and learned in late August he earned dollars for his money-saving idea

A friend of mine suggested I should submit my idea. Once I did, I was really hoping I would win, he said. [Since Ive won], Ive been numb. Im still waiting on the check to come, and I dont even know what Im going to do with it yet.

Right now, the bases radiology department has a contract for a currently unfilled part-time radiologist at a cost of $360,000 a year. Meanwhile, MRIs cost the base $533,000 a year with interpretations of these tests done off base. Mammograms are also performed downtown with a six-week waiting list to be seen and a one-to-two week waiting period for the results. CT scans are done in-house but test interpretations are still done downtown with other routine radiography scans finished on base but the film sent to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., for interpretation. Overall, the cost per year is $906,000.

Sergeant Carolan suggested canceling the radiologists contract, having one business read all mammography, CT and MRI scans and mail hard copy CT and ultrasound films to Fargo, N.D. until equipment is in place to read the tests on base. His proposed changes will save $468,510 per year.

The radiology technician came up with the idea after seeing other bases work their radiology departments this way. His goal was to streamline the process.

Some of our services [like mammography] looked like they were going to head downtown, he said. If we could save a bunch of money, do the services [on base] and also have some people keep their jobs, then why not?

Lt. Col. Lyndsay Stauffer, 5th Medical Support Squadron commander, said the idea is a boost for the base.

This proposal is a win-win for Team Minot, she explained. More important than the significant cost-savings for the government, our patients and staff will benefit by receiving top quality readings on MRIs, CAT scans and ultrasounds, with very short turn-around times. At all levels, we are constantly seeking ways to enhance the level of our professional care, and Sergeant Carolans contribution will have a significant and sustained positive impact.