Innovative Medication Robot Streamlines Opioid Treatment at SouthLight

The newest addition to SouthLight’s Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) is not a person, but it’s proving to be a valuable member of the nursing team. Meet “Lucy,” the ZING® medication-dispensing robot that uses healthcare automation to improve client care and free the nursing staff to do more of what they do best: provide compassionate care. 

“Over 850 clients receive Medication-Assisted Treatment  at SouthLight,” explains Kristin Cain, Senior Director of Operations, Opioid Treatment Program. “Methadone, one of the most common medications, comes in liquid form that must be measured and dispensed for each client.”  

How the ZING® Robot Streamlines Medication Dispensing  

“Opioid Treatment care is highly individualized,” adds Brandon Smith, Nursing Manager. “Each client’s dose and take-home schedule is based on clinical stability, safety needs, regulatory requirements, and progress in treatment. Some clients receive medication onsite each day, while others may qualify for up to 27 take-home doses as they continue to demonstrate response to treatment.” 

This is where Lucy, the ZING® robot, enters the picture. Affectionately named by the nursing staff, Lucy is seamlessly connected to SouthLight’s Methasoft dosing software. Nurses check in clients at the windows, send the orders online, and the robot fills, caps, and security-seals the bottles.  

Improving Nursing Workflow Efficiency 

“Before we had this technology,” says Brandon, “The nurses would have to dispense, label, and seal one bottle at a time using the desktop Methadone pumps. Those are efficient for someone receiving a single medication dose at the window. Now, if a client’s plan calls for several take-home doses, the nurses can send that to Lucy. This saves us hours each day.” 

Improving the Client Experience with Faster Service 

On the other side of the window, “Clients experience lines that move faster, and interactions are more pleasant,” shares Ben Powell, P.A.-C., Senior Clinical Director. “People tell me they no longer feel that pressure of holding up the line, and they’re more comfortable taking time to talk to the nurses.” 

Why Nurses Say Lucy Feels Like a Trusted Co-Worker 

What does the nursing team think about the ZING® robot?  

“It saves time for the patients,” shares Selkys Earnest, LPN.  

Adds Michelle Jones, LPN, “If someone needs multiple medication doses, we can put in that order and help the next person while Lucy fills the bottles.”  

“Lucy has made things smoother. We were intimidated at first, and clients were telling us we’d lose our jobs to a robot, but Lucy needs us and we need her. Now, she’s like a co-worker.” 

—Toya Carter, LPN

Lucy By The Numbers 

How Busy is SouthLight’s ZING® robot?
On a recent Tuesday morning between 5:30 and 9:30: 

Coming Soon: Taking Treatment Accessibility to the Next Level  

The next technology coming to SouthLight’s Opioid Treatment Program is a web-based application called the Sonara® Virtual Dosing Window™. It enables clients who would otherwise have to take their medication in front of a nurse at SouthLight to record their methadone doses virtually from home using tamper-aware methadone bottle labels. Says Kristin Cain, “This is another step in helping remove barriers to care because it takes away the need to travel to the clinic. It will help clients stay in treatment and build stronger relationships with their care teams.”