COLUMBIA, Md. (Feb. 10, 2025) — David R. Gastfriend, MD, DFASAM, addiction psychiatrist and nationally recognized expert in addiction medicine, has joined FEI Systems as an executive strategic advisor and subject matter expert for the continued support and enhancement of the third edition of the ASAM CONTINUUM™ assessment and the ASAM CO-Triage® screener as well as the development and implementation of the fourth edition. In this role, Dr. Gastfriend will provide scientific guidance to FEI’s business development and product teams to assure the clinical integrity of these initiatives.
The ASAM CONTINUUM™ is a comprehensive online tool, and the CO-Triage® screener provides an abbreviated version of the assessment for deployment in acute care circumstances. The tools provide recommendations for the least intensive, safest and most effective level of care, as well as informing treatment planning. Developed by FEI in partnership with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) for nationwide release in 2015, with initial funding supported by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), they are the only software assessment tools endorsed by ASAM to produce accurate, multi-dimensional assessments and level of care recommendations.
While on the Harvard Medical School faculty and as Director of the Addiction Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Gastfriend served as the lead researcher on the ASAM Criteria for patient treatment matching, and he continues as the chief architect of the ASAM CONTINUUM™. His research operationalized and validated ASAM’s criteria, and contributed to endorsements by most U.S. states, the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense. The outcomes and validity research was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the governments of Belgium and Norway.
Moving forward, responsibility for the management of sales and direct relationships with third-party distributors of the product will transition from ASAM to FEI Systems. Dr. Gastfriend will play a pivotal role in leading these efforts, as well as the important work of developing the fourth edition ASAM CONTINUUM™ and ASAM CO-Triage®, anticipated for release late 2025.
“With these crucial assessment tools, the entire treatment team — from intake specialist to clinical staff — has access to an easy-to-use, high-quality structured interview to inform treatment plans for those with substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions,” said Craig Steffen, CEO of FEI Systems. “We’re proud to continue to advance this meaningful work and welcome Dr. Gastfriend to our team.”
As substance use disorder treatment trends and best practices continue to evolve, the benefits associated with online assessments will become increasingly valuable. The software solutions have proven to increase initial patient engagement, support prompt over-the-phone prior authorization and streamline approval for payer reimbursement. In addition, the tools can be used repeatedly throughout recovery to guide treatment plan adjustments and monitor progress, resulting in lower treatment drop-out rates and improved retention over time.
“Use of the ASAM-endorsed assessment tools has proven to yield more accurate patient placement and treatment planning than any paper-based version of the assessment can provide.” said Dr. Gastfriend. “The fourth edition is ASAM’s response to the evolving needs in the U.S. drug epidemic. The software is rapidly advancing to deliver on the promise of science to patients and families who tragically suffer from this illness. These tools have been designed to boost quality of care, effectiveness of care and cost-effectiveness of care. There really is a clear vision for the future of addiction medicine, and I look forward to implementing it with FEI.”
About FEI
For 25 years, FEI Systems has provided innovative IT solutions that assist federal, state and local health and human services agencies in caring for the most vulnerable members of the communities they serve.
Our Blue Compass suite of solutions includes a host of modules designed to address common requirements while meeting the unique and complex needs of each of the agencies and organizations we serve. Our case management for long-term services and supports system and our behavioral health case management system offer comprehensive tools for the cross-agency delivery of person-centered, coordinated health and human services.
For more information about the ASAM CONTINUUM™ or CO-Triage® screener or to request a demo, please reach out to info.continuum@feisystems.com.
