Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

17 September 2007 To Whom It May Concern: I became aware of Sentry Data Systems through a direct mail marketing piece. I knew that our hospital qualified for DSH status, but I had previously not followed up with 340B opportunities due to my perception that our lack of an outpatient pharmacy and the complexity of the 340B program did not make it feasible for us. I believed in would be helpful to learn about Sentry’s products while reacquainting myself with the federal 340B program. I had never heard of Sentry Data Systems, but I was assured of their credibility after ringing endorsement by our Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) representative. It turns out that Sentry Data Systems is a strategic partner of the GNYHA and that another GNYHA hospital was having success with their products. We are a relatively new Sentry Data Systems customer and have both the Sentinel RCM & Sentrex products. I thought that Sentry’s initial projections were very optimistic, but they turned out to be very accurate. Finance and Administration are thrilled with the creating of a significant, new revenue stream. Marketing can promote a new service to (discounted prescription drugs) that may not be available to patients of competitor hospitals. Your outpatient pharmacy or contracted pharmacy will be happy with the potential for new patients. And pharmacy directors are happy that all this occurs with no additional FTEs. The best part about Sentrex four out pharmacy department – the hospital is generating revenue while our contracted pharmacy is doing the work. Ironically, Sentrex may be more successful for smaller hospitals that have to utilize a contracted pharmacy that for those bigger hospitals who already have their own outpatient pharmacy. An established, busy retail pharmacy near a hospital is going to capture many more 340B prescription refills than a hospital-owned pharmacy located in or next to the hospital, which may primarily just capture single fills or prescriptions upon discharge. Regardless, it is imperative that you choose the right contract pharmacy relationship and that you treat them as part of the hospital’s 340B team. Sentinel RCM has two features that I believe make it superior to other 340B software systems. 1) There is an instant audit trail available online for any item purchased at a 340B price 2) It is tightly integrated with the hospital’s software system and finds 340B opportunities that would otherwise be missed e.g. anesthesia gasses used in outpatient surgery, drugs used for “23 hour” stay patients. There is much work on a hospital’s side to get Sentinel RCM running smoothly. The success of your 340B program is contingent on establishing a true partnership with Sentry. The level of customer service and support is excellent. It is like having a staff of 340B experts on call. Best of all, they listen to our suggestions, comments and recommendations. Sentry has incorporated several of our suggestions into product updates. The federal 340B program was set up to give a financial boost to “safety net” hospitals. Unfortunately, it was so complicated and cumbersome, that relatively few hospitals could take advantage of it. With Sentry Data System’s software, we’ve been able to provide our uninsured patients with savings on the prescription medications and we’ve also been able to generate revenues that help us further the mission of our hospital in the community. I highly recommend the Sentry Products to anyone in search of a comprehensive 340B solution. Sincerely, Jack Koford, RPh, MBA Director of Pharmacy Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Download PDF