CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Two retailers recently began using technology that reduces the time the pharmacy staff spends on tasks such as taking refill requests and filling out signature logs and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) acknowledgement forms. Dierbergs Markets here recently finished installing interactive voice response systems and electronic signature capture solutions in its 17 stores with pharmacies, said David Meador, director of pharmacy. "We're trying to streamline efficiencies, take a load off the pharmacists and automate as much as we can," he told SN. Since installing the IVR program, which automates telephone call handling and provides customers with 24-hour access to pharmacy services, each Dierbergs pharmacy averages 25 orders to be filled when the stores open each morning. "It's another convenience to the customers, they don't have to get a busy signal," Meador said. The systems are provided by ateb, Raleigh, N.C. Shaw's Supermarkets, West Bridgewater, Mass., also implemented ateb's IVR system and signature technology in 64 pharmacies earlier this month. "With the IVR, our pharmacy is now available 24/7, which allows us to manage our increasing number of refills with ease," said Joe Prigaro, Shaw's director of pharmacy.
