Schedule

Click on each session title to view the session description.

Wednesday, April 11
6:45am–7:15am 7:15am–4:40pm	CASC Review Course Registration and Breakfast Pre-Meeting: CASC™ Review Course Faculty: John Goehle, MBA, CPA, CASC Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies Mary Ryan, BSN, MBA, CASC Tri-State Surgery Center Debra Stinchcomb, RN, BSN, MBA, CASC Progressive Surgical Solutions Description: If you are planning to take the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) exam or want a review of the key areas of ASC administration that will help you keep your skills current, this course is for you. Designed for those with ASC experience and knowledge, this course will provide an in-depth review of the key topics in the five content areas of the CASC exam: regulatory and legal issues, finance, delivery of patient care, quality management and human resources. Each content area will be covered by expert faculty with extensive experience in ASC management. Actual test questions will not be provided. Wednesday, April 11, 2018: 9:00am–9:10am CASC Review AM Break 11:40am–12:30pm CASC Review Lunch 2:45pm–2:55pm CASC Review PM Break
8:00am–12:00pm	Pre-Meeting: Preparing for AAAHC Accreditation Faculty: David Shapiro, MD, CHC, CHCQM, CHPRM, LHRM Jan Kleinhesselink, RN BSHM CPHQ Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Consider the many benefits accreditation offers your ASC and get real-world advice on how to achieve and maintain it. Discuss essential components of accreditation, including continuous quality improvement, patient and employee safety, and infection prevention and control. Look closely at the steps your ASC needs to take to make sure it measures up, and learn how to avoid the top ten deficiencies found during recent accreditation surveys.
8:00am–12:00pm	Pre-Meeting: Preparing for Joint Commission Accreditation Faculty: Jay Afrow, DMD, MHA The Joint Commission Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Review the process for successfully completing a Joint Commission accreditation survey, including preparing for the survey, participating in on-site survey activities and following up after the on-site survey visit. Examine the challenges that can occur and suggestions for helping the process proceed smoothly. A question and answer segment will focus on participants’ key concerns and questions that can arise during the Joint Commission accreditation process.
8:00am–12:00pm	Pre-Meeting: Your New Life Safety Code Survival Guide—Part I Faculty: William Lindeman, AIA WEL Designs, PLC William Phillips, BS, MS, PhD, CGC, CIAQP, CDT, FMA RITEway Building Services Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Join two nationally recognized Life Safety Code experts for a comprehensive two-part program that will give you an in-depth understanding of the current Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations governing all ASC physical environments and the organization and processes needed to meet the operational requirements for risk assessments, inspection, testing and maintenance. Part I, held Wednesday morning, focuses on key changes in the NFPA codes and sections, training and documentation requirements, and construction and operational considerations surrounding construction type, fire protection, vertical openings, egress, hazardous areas, risk assessments, medical gases and more. Other aspects of the new requirements will be covered during Part II, the afternoon workshop. Note: This is Part I of a two-part program. Separate registration is required for Part II.
12:00pm–4:00pm	2018 ASCA State Leaders Conference Description: Participants will engage with their peers in other states to share best practices on association governance, budgeting, public relations and grassroots advocacy. For more information, click here.
1:00pm–5:00pm	Pre-Meeting: Your New Life Safety Code Survival Guide—Part II Faculty: William Lindeman, AIA WEL Designs, PLC William Phillips, BS, MS, PhD, CGC, CIAQP, CDT, FMA RITEway Building Services Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Join two nationally recognized Life Safety Code experts for a comprehensive two-part program that will give you an in-depth understanding of the current Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations governing all ASC physical environments and the organization and processes needed to meet the operational requirements for risk assessments, inspection, testing and maintenance. Part II, held Wednesday afternoon, focuses on design, construction and operational considerations surrounding electrical systems, interior finishes, fire alarms, fire separation, smoke compartments, portable fire extinguishers, emergency planning, building services, vertical conveyors, smoking policy, and finishes and decorations. Other aspects of the new requirements will be covered during Part I, the morning workshop. Note: This is Part II of a two-part program. Separate registration is required for Part I.
3:30pm–5:00pm	A Meeting with the Experts Faculty: Cristina Bentin, CMA, CCS-P, COC, CPPM, AAPC Fellow Coding Compliance Management Larry Taylor, ATC Practice Partners in Healthcare Sandy Berreth, RN, BS, MS, CASC Foothill Surgery Center at Sansum Clinic Terry Bohlke, CASC Community Health Systems Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: *Attendance is limited to 36 people. A first-come, first-served policy will apply.* Four ASC management experts will lead discussions in their areas of expertise at four tables that will each host groups of nine. Using a timed rotation system that mimics popular speed dating techniques, presenters will spend approximately 30 minutes at each table. When time is up, the presenters will move to the next table and begin new 30-minute conversations on their topic with the new group. The topics assigned to each of the four tables are case costing and physician management; dealing with difficult boards and running an effective board meeting; regulatory and clinical management challenges in ASCs; and business associate agreements and vendor responsibility for risk assessments. Get the answers you need to “the things that keep you up at night” in those key operational areas. Arrive early to make sure you get inside.
5:30pm–6:30pm	General Session Shortcuts to Employee Engagement Faculty: Vicki Hess, RN, MS, CSP Catalyst Consulting, LLC Content Area: Human Resources Description: Employee engagement is all the rage these days. As a health care leader, you likely know the benefits and see the downside when engagement falls short. Unfortunately, most employees don’t want to play the engagement game. They feel like employee engagement is management code for trying to get them to do more work. Typically, there’s pushback all the way around. And to make matters worse, you’re being asked to do more with less. It’s challenging to get all the work done without fully engaged employees. It’s a problem that’s showing up in lower-than-desired scores for employee engagement, patient satisfaction, safety, quality and more. What can you do in your leadership role to create shared ownership and commitment around engagement? Join Top5 Healthcare Speaker Vicki Hess and your peers for this workshop. At the end of this one-hour session, you’ll be able to Demystify employee engagement and talk about it in terms that everyone understands; Create shared responsibility for engagement with everyone in the organization; and Take back real-world tools to use at work right away.
6:30pm–8:00pm	Exhibit Hall Welcome Reception Location: Exhibit Hall Description: Kick off the conference by attending this year’s Welcome Reception inside the ASC industry’s largest exhibit hall of the year. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, reconnect with old friends and get to know other ASC professionals. Familiarize yourself with the exhibit hall and start your Exhibit Hall Passport to enter ASCA’s grand prize giveaway. With food and drink that showcase the best of Boston, this reception will be the start of ASCA 2018. Be sure to attend!

Schedule Key

	Advanced Session. ASC employees who feel they have the basics in their respective fields covered and are looking to improve their skills will find these sessions helpful.

	Food Function. Various food and/or beverages will be served at these sessions.

	Infection Prevention. These sessions specialize in infection prevention.

	Limited Seating. These sessions have limited seating. Please arrive early to ensure admittance. Attendees over the maximum number listed in the session description will be turned away.

	Pre-Meeting Workshop. Additional registration is required.

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Click on each session title to view the session description.

Thursday, April 12
7:00am–8:00am	Exhibit Hall Breakfast Location: Exhibit Hall Description: Start your day off in the exhibit hall with over 150 exhibiting companies with breakfast in the exhibit hall. Breakfast is scheduled to include a variety of juices, fruits, bagels, breakfast bakeries and coffee.
8:00am–9:00am	Essentials of CMS Quality Reporting Faculty: Donna Slosburg, RN, BSN, LHRM, CASC ASC Quality Collaboration Gina Throneberry, RN, MBA, CASC, CNOR Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Content Area: Quality Management Description: ASCs that serve Medicare patients must comply with Medicare’s ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) requirements or face payment reductions in future years. Find out from these two quality reporting experts what data you need to collect in 2018, which quality measures you need to report this year and how to file the reports required. Get the definitions you need and answers to the most frequently asked questions. Preview the changes expected in 2019 and beyond.
8:00am–9:00am	Make Your Infection Preventionist a Full Partner in Your Safety and Quality Programs Faculty: Deborah Mack, BSN, CNOR, CASC QRS Solutions Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: CMS requires that ASCs have "a licensed health care professional qualified through training in infection control and designated to direct the ASC's infection control program." Focus on key components of an ASC infection prevention program that are the responsibility of the infection preventionist and get guidance on how to comply. Identify ways the role of infection preventionist integrates with a multi-disciplinary approach toward a comprehensive quality assurance and performance improvement program.
8:00am–9:00am	Managing Your Top Revenue Cycle Metrics Faculty: Nader Samii National Medical Billing Services Content Area: Financial Description: In today's highly competitive and ever-changing health care environment, the most successful surgery centers are using sophisticated analytics to track their performance and guide their future clinical and business decisions. Learn how to access this critical data, which key metrics you should be tracking and how you should be analyzing your data and applying what you learn.
8:00am–9:00am	Master the Employee Overtime Rules Faculty: Salvatore Puccio Garfunkel Wild, PC Content Area: Human Resources Description: A review of federal lawsuit filings reveals that litigants filed a total of 8,954 wage and hour cases between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015. This is an increase of more than 30% since 2011 and does not include Department of Labor investigations or lawsuits filed against employers in the states. Keep your policies and practices up to date and your ASC out of court with this in-depth review of the general overtime provisions contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the relevant exceptions. Particular emphasis will be placed on ASC staffing considerations, why there is such an increase in litigation of these matters and how to identify potential overtime violations. Explore the issues from both the employer and employee’s eyeview.
8:00am–9:00am	Proactive Strategies for Managing Risk Faculty: Sandra Jones, MBA, CASC, LHRM, CPHRM, CPHQM, FHFMA Ambulatory Strategies Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: The best risk management programs include assessing and targeting risk reduction and safety issues, not just looking back at adverse events. Learn how to use a risk assessment tool to establish priorities and integrate risk reduction with quality and compliance.
8:00am–9:00am	Real-World Solutions for Managing Complaints Faculty: Michael Patterson, FACHE Mississippi Valley Health Content Area: Quality Management Description: Complaints and concerns are a fact of life. How we respond to them determines how patients will perceive the care they are provided. Examine specific tools and tactics you can use to help de-escalate complaints and turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one.
9:10am–10:10am	Boost Quality, Efficiency and Cost Savings with Clinical Benchmarking Faculty: Debra Stinchcomb, MBA, BSN, RN, CASC Progressive Surgical Solutions Content Area: Quality Management Description: The benefits of clinical benchmarking go well beyond documenting daily activities in your facility. Performed properly, it improves patient safety and satisfaction, saves you time and money, and drives lasting improvement in every operational area in your ASC. Join this session to find out how to make clinical benchmarking work for your ASC and make sure that you are reaping all the benefits this time-tested tool provides.
9:10am–10:10am	Negotiate Better Managed Care Contracts Faculty: Lindsay Haynes Lowder Surgical Care Affiliates Content Area: Financial Description: With a focus on goal setting and understanding the value proposition of your facility and partnership, discuss ways that you can develop a thoughtful approach to negotiating managed care contracts that ensure the financial health of your ASC and its long-term success. Review the basic constructs of a negotiation, different data sources that can strengthen your position and ways to maximize leverage. Learn how to create a negotiation strategy and employ the tactics and techniques you need to increase the likelihood of successfully reaching your goals.
9:10am–10:10am	Outpatient Robotics: A Discussion of Financial Feasibility and Implementation Faculty: Riley Orr, MBA United Surgical Partners International Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Over the last 15 years, there has been substantial proliferation of robotic systems in the inpatient hospital space. With this proliferation, comes the increased utilization and training of physicians on robotic consoles that has served to improve robotic technology and increase demand for system availability. Historically, due to the high cost of robotic systems, outpatient facilities have been unable to implement robotics programs due to the financial burden associated with the start-up costs. This is the story of our robotics program implementation and why we believe robotics has a place in the ASC.
9:10am–10:10am	Prevent Cyber Crime in Your ASC Faculty: Gerard Nussbaum, JD, CPA, CMA, RCDD Zarach Associates Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Cybercriminals are targeting health care providers in record numbers. When they succeed, the fines and consequences are daunting. Your ASC has never been at greater risk. Find out more about who might be targeting your ASC, how they gain access and ways you can keep them at bay.
9:10am–10:10am	Use Medicare’s ASC Infection Control Surveyor Worksheet to Improve Compliance and Patient Care Faculty: Lee Anne Blackwell, RN, BSN, EMBA, CNOR Practice Partners in Healthcare Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Get to know the updated Medicare ASC Infection Control Surveyor Worksheet like you have never known it before and how to put it to work inside your ASC to drive critical change and lasting improvement. Working with other ASC professionals, take a deep dive into the different sections of the worksheet. Identify and share challenges and successes related to compliance, explore the expectations of surveying authorities and find the ways your ASC can benefit.
9:10am–10:10am	Your Volume Leader Is Leaving—Strategies for Surviving and Thriving Faculty: Daren Smith, RN Surgical Information Systems Content Area: Human Resources Description: For every patient scheduled for surgery, ASCs invest significant time and energy to ensure success, but when it comes to the planned or unplanned departure of a physician, the need to prepare is often overlooked. Learn how to put an effective, ongoing physician succession plan in place, including how to execute the plan successfully and avoid common pitfalls along the way. Suggestions for how to recruit non-owner physicians to fill OR block time will be provided.
10:10am–11:10am	Exhibit Hall Morning Break Location: Exhibit Hall Description: Enjoy a coffee or tea as you visit with our vendors in the exhibit hall.
11:15am–12:15pm	Are Cardiac Procedures in Your Future? Faculty: Sheree Leppinen, RN, BSN, LHRM Heart and Rhythm Institute of Trinity Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Find out from this ASC administrator with firsthand experience which cardiac procedures are being performed successfully in the ASC setting, and walk through the pre-admission, pre-op, intra-op and discharge policies and procedures that lead to success. Examine the reimbursement challenges surrounding these procedures associated with both the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and managed care providers.
11:15am–12:15pm	Does Your ASC Have a Backbone? Bringing Spine into Your ASC Faculty: Sara Arones, RN, BSN Surgery Partners Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: What do you need to know and do to bring spine procedures into your ASC? Join this introduction to spine procedures in the ASC setting to make sure your patients are receiving top-quality care and your physicians are happy when you bring cases from this increasingly outpatient specialty into your facility. Discuss laminotomy, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, total disc replacement, kyphoplasty, interspinous process decompression and more.
11:15am–12:15pm	Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Right for Your ASC? Faculty: Vivek Kumbhari, MD Johns Hopkins Medical Institution Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: ASCs have been performing bariatric surgeries for many years, but do your ASC’s physicians, staff and managers understand the intricacies involved in endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty? Is it safe and feasible to bring patients who have decided to undergo this procedure into your ASC? Listen as this world-renowned gastroenterologist describes his experience with this procedure in the outpatient setting, then ask the questions you need answered before adding these patients to your case mix.
11:15am–12:15pm	Starting an Outpatient Total Joint Program Faculty: Rebecca Taylor, RN, BSN Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC Sylvia Johns Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Listen as two ASC leaders—one with a clinical background and one with a business degree—share their experiences and lessons learned in introducing a successful outpatient total joint program in their ASC. Bring your questions—basic and advanced.
11:15am–12:15pm	Tips and Techniques for Infection Control Training Faculty: Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC Surgical Information Systems Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Regulatory agencies require all health care providers to receive training in infection control prior to treating patients in the ASC setting. That means all credentialed staff and providers, including physicians, dentists and allied health professionals (AHPs), should have training. Is your ASC compliant? What training do you provide? How often? This presentation will give you ideas for training all staff and physicians and tips for presenting information that everyone will read.
11:15am–12:15pm	Vitreoretinal Surgery and Your ASC Faculty: Andre Witkin, MD Tufts Medical Center Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Can and should your ASC provide vitreoretinal surgery? Look carefully at the equipment and techniques involved and the risks and benefits for patients with this Boston-based vitreoretinal specialist.
12:20pm–2:20pm	Exhibit Hall Luncheon Location: Exhibit Hall Description: Meet with new and old friends in the exhibit hall for a buffet lunch. Don't forget to visit the sponsors located throughout the exhibit hall!
2:20pm–3:50pm	2018 Federal Regulatory Policy: What You Need to Know Faculty: Kara Newbury, JD Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Naya Kehayes, MPH ECG Management Consultants Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Identify the best opportunities to grow your ASC and avoid newly created pitfalls with this in-depth review of the policies and reimbursement rates that Medicare has finalized in its 2018 ASC payment rule. Study the impact of these changes on various specialties to assess the opportunities and risks that could transpire with your commercial payers as well.
2:20pm–3:50pm	How to Prepare for a Survey and Submit a Plan of Correction Faculty: John Goehle, MBA, CASC, CPA Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Identify specific steps your ASC can follow to prepare for a survey and, if needed, respond to a statement of deficiencies with a plan of correction. Consider common citations and get suggestions for maintaining survey readiness and accessing the resources you need to successfully navigate each phase of the survey process.
2:20pm–3:50pm	How-to Guide for Infection Control Risk Assessment Faculty: Lisa Berus, RN, MSN, MEd, CASSPT Surgical Care Affiliates Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: The Infection Control Risk Assessment is required by accreditation organizations and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to help facilities develop a global view of the risks that patients and staff face in their specific setting. Explore best practices for developing and conducting a risk assessment and focus on helping personnel responsible for this task understand the key components and steps to take. Learn how to collect geographic, population and services information, how to identify and score the risks and ways to prioritize the risks you uncover in your ASC in the order of magnitude. Consider goals and objectives your ASC can adopt based on the risks you identify.
2:20pm–3:50pm	“It’s Complicated:” Making a Joint Venture Work Faculty: Joan Dentler, MBA Avanza Healthcare Strategies Content Area: Financial Description: Physicians and hospitals that find ways to collaborate rather than compete have a lot to gain. Learn why the current health care environment is prime for hospital–physician ASC joint ventures and leave with an understanding of the many issues that stand between a successful joint venture and a failed partnership. Discuss division of equity, control over ASC operations, board structure, leveraging the hospital's relationships and contracts, case types and developing a collaborative culture. Examine the results of a recent survey that asked hospital executives about ASC joint ventures.
2:20pm–3:50pm	Leadership 301: Exploring New Challenges Faculty: Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC Surgical Information Systems Content Area: Human Resources Description: ASC managers who have been in leadership positions for many years might find themselves asking, "Is this all there is?" They might begin to dread going to work every day or find themselves sitting at a desk and daydreaming of something more. Investigate options for increasing satisfaction in an ASC leadership role and explore possibilities for more challenging, new positions.
2:20pm–3:50pm	OSHA Resources for ASCs Faculty: Kelly Ogle, BS, MS DoctorsManagement Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Keep your ASC’s employees safe with this in-depth review of everything you need to know about compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s requirements. Explore employee rights and responsibilities, hazardous chemicals, fire and electrical safety, MRIs and lasers, ergonomics and workplace violence. Find out how to document your site-specific information, discuss bloodborne pathogens and delve into hazard communication standards. Examine the new Safety Data Sheet format and new labeling requirements, highlighting the pictograms. Take home effective tips and techniques for conducting a walk-through audit of your facility.
3:50pm–4:00pm	Afternoon Break Location: Foyer Description: Take a quick break between sessions to enjoy a little snack or a drink before heading back to the educational sessions.
4:15pm–5:30pm	General Session What You and Your ASC Need to Know in 2018 Faculty: Bill Prentice ASCA Description: ASCA Chief Executive Officer Bill Prentice will lead a discussion about recent developments affecting ASCs that could help you respond to patient inquiries, offer new opportunities to your physicians and staff and improve efficiency in your ASC. Employer Successes: Case Studies in Implementing Value Savings Faculty: Rebecca Craig, RN, MBA, CNOR, COC, CASC Harmony Surgery Center and Peak Surgical Management Bill Kampine Healthcare Bluebook Michael Larsen Municipalities, Cities, Schools Insurance Group (MCSIG) Mark Stadler BridgeHealth Description: As employers have sought to drive down the cost of care provided to their employees without sacrificing quality, what has worked and what lessons have been learned? This panel will look at how three companies implement innovative delivery models to lower costs without lowering the quality of care provided to their employees.
5:30pm–6:30pm	Exhibit Hall Reception Location: Exhibit Hall Description: Relax after a full day of educational sessions with a sampling of finger foods and light snacks. Visit with vendors and colleagues, explore the innovations on display and learn about products and services that can improve your ASC. Door prizes will be awarded during the evening!
6:30pm–7:30pm	CASC Reception Description: Come celebrate your accomplishment! The Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification (BASC) would like to invite you to a cocktail reception on Thursday, April 12 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm in the Foyer. You will be able to meet other individuals that have obtained the CASC credential as well as BASC Board members. Signage will be provided to guide you to the appropriate area.

Schedule Key

	Advanced Session. ASC employees who feel they have the basics in their respective fields covered and are looking to improve their skills will find these sessions helpful.

	Food Function. Various food and/or beverages will be served at these sessions.

	Infection Prevention. These sessions specialize in infection prevention.

	Limited Seating. These sessions have limited seating. Please arrive early to ensure admittance. Attendees over the maximum number listed in the session description will be turned away.

	Pre-Meeting Workshop. Additional registration is required.

RETURN TO TOP

Click on each session title to view the session description.

Friday, April 13
6:30am–7:30am	ASCA Bootcamp Description: ASCA adds to the promotion of fitness and wellness with an amplifying morning bootcamp workout. ASCA's Bootcamp is for all ages and fitness levels! This 60-minute session will begin April, 13 at 6:30 am.
7:00am–8:00am	Continental Breakfast Location: Foyer Description: Start the day off with a breakfast filled with bagels, pastries, fruit and a variety of juices and, of course, a cup of coffee to get you going!
8:00am–9:00am	An All-Hazards Approach to CMS Emergency Preparedness Faculty: Pat Ewald, RN Dallas Surgical Partners Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: New Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) emergency preparedness requirements focus on continuity of operations and putting patient care at the center of emergency planning. Get to know how the new rules affect your center, and learn practical approaches for complying with both the spirit and letter of the new requirements.
8:00am–9:00am	Benchmarking KPIs for Financial Health Faculty: Darcy Thor, MBA, CMRP, CPC-A Harmony Surgery Center Content Area: Financial Description: Learn how to calculate key performance indicators (KPIs) and how to apply this information to benchmark your facility within the industry and against itself for financial health and success. Identify trends and improvement opportunities to help you grow or refocus your business.
8:00am–9:00am	Learning from Near-Misses and Mistakes Faculty: Laurie Heels, MSN, RN Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Content Area: Quality Management Description: Identify the types of unplanned events that can occur in an ASC setting and discuss what can be learned from early catches, near-misses and actual sentinel events. Gain an understanding of rule-, knowledge- and skill-based errors and how leadership can investigate errors and develop a plan for improvement. Leave knowing how to develop a culture of safety in your ASC that actively involves everyone in preventing errors.
8:00am–9:00am	Managing Disruptive Physician Behavior Faculty: Rena Courtay, RN, BSN, MBA, CASC Solutions for Outpatient Surgery Content Area: Human Resources Description: Find out how to define disruptive physician behavior, look at the scope of the problem and explore details about when and where this behavior occurs. Look into the consequences and risks for your ASC and your ASC’s physicians. Study actual scenarios and case studies that illustrate the problem and suggest potential solutions. Discuss steps for corrective feedback conversations with disruptive physicians. Consider and ask questions about actions for dealing with the problem if corrective feedback does not work.
8:00am–9:00am	Regional Block Program Development A–Z Faculty: Greg Hickman, MD Andrews Institute ASC Terri Gatton, RN, CNOR, CASC Andrews Institute ASC Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Both novice and experienced clinicians are invited to join this deep dive into the process of setting up, maintaining and growing a successful regional block program. Discuss staff selection, training, product and supply selection, cost and billing issues, outcomes, the role for quality improvement and studies, patient engagement and education. Examine the process from the perspectives of anesthesia providers, physicians and clinical and administrative staff.
8:00am–9:00am	Sterilization and Reprocessing of Ophthalmic Instruments Faculty: Hassan Bilal, CRCST, CST Medline Industries Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Examine best practices and recommendations for operating a sterile processing environment based on Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) standards. Describe the effects of Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS) and its relationship to decontamination, processing and sterilization of instrumentation. Focus on care, handling, cleaning and sterilization of surgical instrumentation according to manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) and the proper way to perform Immediate Use and Steam Sterilization (IUSS), also known as “flashing.” Describe Hospital Associated Infections (HAI) and how they affect patients and staff in ASCs.
9:10am–10:10am	General Session Happiness: What Your Mother Didn't Tell You Faculty: Daniel Gilbert Harvard University, Department of Psychology Content Area: Human Resources Description: Most of us think we know what would make us happy and that our only problem is getting it. But research in psychology, economics and neuroscience shows that people are not very good at predicting what will make them happy, how happy it will make them and how long that happiness will last. Is the problem that imagination has limits or that society misleads us about the true sources of human happiness? The answer to both questions is yes. Professor Gilbert will explain why, when it comes to finding happiness, we can’t always trust our minds or our mothers.
10:10am–11:10am	Exhibit Hall Break Location: Exhibit Hall Description: Don’t miss out on your last chance to visit the ASC industry’s largest exhibit hall with our morning coffee break.
11:15am–12:15pm	Anesthesia's Role in Infection Control Faculty: Arnaldo Valedon, MD First Colonies Anesthesia Associates Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Reduce infections in your ASC with this overview of infections in outpatient surgery and the role of your anesthesia team in helping to prevent them. Examine predictors of infections, ways your anesthesia team can identify and eliminate them, techniques for eliminating undesirable anesthesia practices that can contribute to infections common in outpatient surgery, and actions you can expect your anesthesia team to take to prevent infections in your ASC.
11:15am–12:15pm	Ensuring Leadership Continuity in the Changing Workforce Faculty: Martha Colen, RN, BA, BSN, MBA, CASC Virginia Beach Ambulatory Surgery Center Content Area: Human Resources Description: Finding and retaining the next tier of qualified leaders is critical to an organization's success, but these efforts are futile if the development of these leaders is ignored and they are not prepared for their new roles. Neglecting the resolution of skill gaps can disrupt the leadership transition for even the most promising new managers. Discuss the importance of developing managerial talent from within by cultivating and retaining existing employees to ensure the availability and capability of the people who will lead your ASC in the future.
11:15am–12:15pm	Optimize Financial Operations at Your ASC Faculty: Nick Fees, CPA OptumCare Content Area: Financial Description: Improve your revenue cycle and your bottom line with tools and tips you need to improve your ASC’s financial operations. Focus on identifying the right reporting mechanisms to identify opportunities unique to your ASC and get practical examples of how to dedicate your time to generating tangible improvement.
11:15am–12:15pm	Risk and the Dissatisfied Patient Faculty: Scott Schoeffel Nossaman Content Area: Financial Description: Collecting from a dissatisfied patient can be tricky business. Join this session to learn Best practices for avoiding legal and financial risk; How to recognize the warning signs of risk; How to determine when and if a patient balance should be written off; How not to admit fault, yet keep the patient happy; and When to involve your ASC’s administrator, a risk manager or an attorney.
11:15am–12:15pm	Strategic Planning for Future Success Faculty: Colin Rorrie, PhD, FASAE, CAE CCR & Associates Content Area: Financial Description: A well-constructed strategic plan can help your ASC prepare for the future, manage its priorities and achieve its goals. Learn key principles and components of an effective strategic plan. Then begin drafting a plan for your ASC, including a mission statement, values, goals, objectives and strategies that will lead your ASC to success. Leave the session with a solid start on a three-year plan custom-fitted to your ASC.
11:15am–12:15pm	What You Need to Know Now about the OAS CAHPS Survey Faculty: Michelle George, RN, MSN, CASC Surgical Care Affiliates Ann Shimek, RN, BSN, MSN, CASC United Surgical Partners International Content Area: Quality Management Description: Even with a delay on the horizon for the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Survey (OAS CAHPS) survey that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced, many ASCs are starting now to find out what they need to know to successfully implement this new survey. Three experienced ASC management professionals who have voluntarily implemented the survey in multiple ASCs will talk about future plans for the survey and share their experiences with everything from choosing a CMS-approved survey vendor to orienting staff, navigating the challenges and managing your ASC’s role in the survey process.
12:25pm–1:50pm	Celebration Luncheon Description: Take a short break from the intensive educational program and enjoy a leisurely sit-down lunch with your colleagues while you help celebrate recent successes in the ASC industry. Along with the networking opportunities you will find at this event, be prepared to be entertained when our featured speaker takes the stage. Invite your friends, colleagues and family members to join in. This part of ASCA’s annual meeting offers something that everyone can enjoy.
2:00pm–3:30pm	Applying NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code, to Your ASC Faculty: William Phillips, BS, MS, PhD, CGC, CIAQP, CDT, FMA RITEway Building Services Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: The new standards for compliance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Health Care Facilities Code are finally fully implemented, changing compliance criteria for the industry. For the past few years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and state and local compliance standards have referenced the same version of the new standards. Beginning this year, the local and state standards are changing. Historically, compliance with standards changed from direct compliance to performance-based compliance. These most recent changes introduce risk-based compliance. Under the new rules, each facility, by application of risk assessments of systems, has the ability to tailor many compliance standards to its individual needs and requirements, allowing for a better fit into each facility’s operating plan. This presentation explores new methods your facility can use to ensure compliance with the new standards. Special focus will be placed on exploring what is required for certifications and training for technicians performing work, as well as what documentation needs to be added to the records of completed inspections and testing for compliance.
2:00pm–3:30pm	ASC Cyber Security Guidance from the Front Lines Faculty: Nelson Gomes PriorityOne Group Timothy Russell Federal Bureau of Investigation Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Cybercriminals are targeting health care organizations of all sizes, including ASCs. Protenus, a patient privacy protection group, reports that in 2016 an average of at least one health data breach per day affected more than 27 million patient records. Failure to take cybercrime seriously could lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Learn about ASC data security requirements, common security vulnerabilities and steps you can take to better protect sensitive data.
2:00pm–3:30pm	Develop an Education and Competency Program for Endoscope Reprocessors Faculty: Lauren Schneider, RN, CGRN, CFER, CASC AMSURG Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Endoscope reprocessing issues are in the spotlight, and surveyors are concentrating on how ASCs are educating and training their staff. Walk through simple steps to develop a customized orientation plan for new endoscope reprocessors and ongoing education and competencies in your facility as well as a plan for monthly monitoring of staff performance. Verify competencies annually on all steps of endoscope reprocessing with the comprehensive education and competency program you put in place.
2:00pm–3:30pm	EPA and DEA Drug Disposal Update Faculty: Kathy Skibinski, MS, RPh WMSS PharmEcology Services Monica Livingston WMSS PharmEcology Services Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Examine current federal regulations governing the management of hazardous pharmaceutical waste, managing your facility according to the appropriate waste generation capacity and preventing diversion while managing controlled substance waste. Find out how the new Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule that went into effect May 30, 2017, impacts your facility and how your daily workflows will be affected in 2018 when the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals—the largest change in hazardous waste management since Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations were finalized in 1980—are likely to take effect.
2:00pm–3:30pm	How to Write Your Next QAPI Study Faculty: Alsie Fitzgerald, RN, CASC AAAHC Content Area: Quality Management Description: Review the process for establishing a quality improvement program, with a focus on identifying and measuring key indicators and conducting meaningful and useful studies that identify and fix problems specific to your ASC. Participants in this roundtable discussion will write and review actual studies. This session is geared toward ASC staff who have no training in quality improvement and have other center responsibilities in addition to quality improvement.
2:00pm–3:30pm	Introduction to ASC Finance and Accounting Faculty: Terry Bohlke, CASC Community Health Systems Content Area: Financial Description: Participate in this hands-on introductory course to learn how to read the basic financial statements used in ASCs (Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement) and how to evaluate common ASC financial transactions. Review standard ASC financial metrics, how to calculate them and where to get meaningful benchmarks.
3:30pm–3:45pm	Afternoon Break Location: Foyer Description: Take a quick break between sessions to enjoy a little snack or a drink before heading back to the educational sessions.
3:45pm–5:15pm	Aligning Your Policies and Procedures with Medicare’s Regulations and Accreditation Standards Faculty: Jan Allison, RN, CHSP AMSURG Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: ASC surveyors evaluate whether your ASC’s policies support standards and Medicare requirements and reflect current best practices. They also assess staff compliance. This session will cover the list of policies accreditation and regulatory bodies require an ASC to have in place and challenges surveyors have uncovered with how policies are written, maintained and implemented. Learn steps your ASC can follow to facilitate staff adherence to the policies and procedures your ASC has in place.
3:45pm–5:15pm	Best Practices in Surgical Instrument Reprocessing Faculty: Michele McKinley, LVN, CRCST, CIS, CHL, AGTS, ASQ CMQ/OE STERIS Corporation Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Make sure you understand all the guidelines for reprocessing medical devices that apply inside your ASC, their role in protecting patient safety and the practices your ASC can put in place to ensure compliance. Use the information from this session as a template of compliance you can carry back to your ASC. If you are planning on expanding your service line or made a change recently, you won’t want to miss this session.
3:45pm–5:15pm	Bring TEAMSTEPPS into Your ASC Faculty: Bill Berry, MD, MPH, MPA, FACS Ariadne Labs Content Area: Quality Management Description: Scientifically rooted in more than 20 years of research, TeamSTEPPS can lead to improvements in patient safety by improving teamwork and communication in and out of your ASC’s operating room or rooms. Learn more about this innovative program developed by the Department of Defense’s Patient Safety Program in cooperation with the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality and ASCA member ASCs, and find out how you can make TeamSTEPPS work in your ASC.
3:45pm–5:15pm	Can Bundled Payments Work in Your ASC? Faculty: Becky Ziegler-Otis, RHIA, CPHQ, CHC, CASC Ambulatory Surgical Center of Stevens Point Tom Wilson Global One Ventures Content Area: Financial Description: Is bundled pricing a fit for your ASC? Explore reasons why you may want to consider bundling as an option for your ASC. If you see a fit, consider the realities of how to proceed. Look carefully at the steps you need to take, and the time and effort you will need to invest, to create a successful program. Look closely at an in-depth case study of a bundled payment experience in one ASC and a comprehensive review of more than 5,000 bundled payment cases in 70 ASCs in California.
3:45pm–5:15pm	Crossing the Generational Divide Faculty: Cindy Young, BSN, RN, CASC Surgery Center of Farmington Lisa Austin, CASC Pinnacle III Content Area: Human Resources Description: Join this multi-generational interactive session to experiment with new approaches to problem-solving, inter-generational communication and staff empowerment. Audience members will work together to address challenges commonly encountered in the ASC setting. Upon completion, they will share their results, with a focus on the varying approaches and skill sets each generation brings that can lead to success. Take home new insights and techniques you can use to successfully guide your multi-generational employees to work together as an effective team.
3:45pm–5:15pm	Finance 201: Decision-Making Strategies that Improve Your Bottom Line Faculty: John Goehle, MBA, CASC, CPA Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies Content Area: Financial Description: Focus on advanced topics in ASC finance, including budgeting systems, how to analyze financial statements to identify actions to improve profitability and making sound financial projections. Discuss ways to handle difficult financial situations.
7:00pm	Social Event Description: ASCA’s social event is the perfect opportunity to take a break and enjoy an evening out with other ASCA 2018 attendees. Enjoy a light dinner and plenty of refreshments, while the band plays a collection of classic rock and dance music favorites to keep the dance floor packed! Don’t miss this chance to spend some time networking with your ASC friends, new and old!

Schedule Key

	Advanced Session. ASC employees who feel they have the basics in their respective fields covered and are looking to improve their skills will find these sessions helpful.

	Food Function. Various food and/or beverages will be served at these sessions.

	Infection Prevention. These sessions specialize in infection prevention.

	Limited Seating. These sessions have limited seating. Please arrive early to ensure admittance. Attendees over the maximum number listed in the session description will be turned away.

	Pre-Meeting Workshop. Additional registration is required.

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Click on each session title to view the session description.

Saturday, April 14
7:00am–8:00am	Continental Breakfast Location: Foyer Description: Start the day off with a breakfast filled with bagels, pastries, fruit and a variety of juices and, of course, a cup of coffee to get you going!
8:00am–12:00pm	CASC Exam Location: Room 210 Description: For more information on the CASC exam, please visit aboutcasc.org.
8:00am–9:30am	ASC Risk Areas Under the False Claims Act Faculty: Ashley Morgan, JD, CMCO, CMRS Liles Parker Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Protect your ASC’s reputation and financial well-being by preventing False Claims Act (FCA) violations in your ASC. The FCA is the primary civil enforcement tool that the US Department of Justice uses against ASCs and other health care providers that participate in Medicare and other federal health benefits programs. The damages and penalties involved are so extreme that few providers ever choose to fight allegations and work toward settling the case with the government instead. Discuss the elements of the FCA and the penalties that can be assessed. Examine several recent cases and review the risk areas your ASC should avoid.
8:00am–9:30am	OSHA Resources for ASCs Faculty: Kelly Ogle, BS, MS DoctorsManagement Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Keep your ASC’s employees safe with this in-depth review of everything you need to know about compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s requirements. Explore employee rights and responsibilities, hazardous chemicals, fire and electrical safety, MRIs and lasers, ergonomics and workplace violence. Find out how to document your site-specific information, discuss bloodborne pathogens and delve into hazard communication standards. Examine the new Safety Data Sheet format and new labeling requirements, highlighting the pictograms. Take home effective tips and techniques for conducting a walk-through audit of your facility.
8:00am–9:30am	Which Patients Are Right for Your ASC? Faculty: Missy Soliz, RN Mississippi Valley Health Content Area: Delivery of Patient Care Description: Patient selection is a collaborative process that requires the surgeon and the anesthesia department to work together to ensure the patient is appropriate for the ASC setting. Preadmission screening and patient selection policies and procedures serve as a patient safety and risk management strategy. Discuss patient selection criteria, relevant sections of Medicare’s Conditions for Coverage and other related policies.
9:30am–9:40am	Morning Break Location: Foyer Description: Grab a quick cup of coffee or tea between the morning sessions.
9:40am–11:10am	An Administrator’s Guide to Fair Market Value Faculty: Clinton Flume, MBA, CVA VMG Health Colin Park VMG Health Content Area: Financial Description: Discuss the reasons and uses for a valuation of your ASC, ASC value drivers and best practices for making certain your ASC is at the top of its game when it comes to establishing and assessing its value in the marketplace.
9:40am–11:10am	Eliminate Common Survey Deficiencies Faculty: Marcy Sasso, CASC Sasso Consulting Content Area: Regulatory and Legal Issues Description: Make sure your ASC is deficiency-free during your next survey by addressing common areas of noncompliance that continue to generate citations. Look at proof of Governing Body oversight, unlabeled syringes, improper documentation of infection prevention training, incomplete safety drills, documented generator tests, records of your post-operative phone calls, bylaws you need to know and proof that you have a comprehensive peer review program incorporated into your quality assurance program and re-appointments. Get the definitions you need, clear rules you can follow and tips for meeting and exceeding the requirements.
9:40am–11:10am	Employee Complaint Management Strategies that Keep You Out of Court Faculty: Jason Ross, JD Higgs, Fletcher & Mack Content Area: Human Resources Description: Employee litigation is on the rise and growing rapidly. These lawsuits are disruptive, protracted and expensive. Avoid this kind of litigation in your ASC by exploring the laws and best practices for properly investigating and resolving workplace complaints. Knowing the anatomy of an employee lawsuit can provide invaluable guidance on how to minimize risk and preempt litigation before it begins. Investigate a survey of applicable laws, tips on effective human resource practices and lessons from real-life cases provided by an experienced California employment litigator. Some learn these lessons the hard way. Attend this session so you don't have to.

Schedule Key

	Advanced Session. ASC employees who feel they have the basics in their respective fields covered and are looking to improve their skills will find these sessions helpful.

	Food Function. Various food and/or beverages will be served at these sessions.

	Infection Prevention. These sessions specialize in infection prevention.

	Limited Seating. These sessions have limited seating. Please arrive early to ensure admittance. Attendees over the maximum number listed in the session description will be turned away.

	Pre-Meeting Workshop. Additional registration is required.

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ASCA 2018 Focus Groups and Lunches

As an ASCA 2018 attendee, you are invited to participate in one of six ASCA Affiliate-led focus groups. This is your opportunity to help ASCA Affiliates shape their product and service offerings during a targeted discussion over lunch.

For consideration, please complete the Focus Group Registration Request form. Participation is limited to ASCA 2018 attendees and advance registration is required.

Faculty: Various ASCA Affiliate Sponsors and Exhibitors
Content Area: Affiliate-Led Discussions
Description: Engage and learn with ASCA’s leading affiliate sponsors and exhibitors.

Thursday, April 12 from 12:30pm – 1:50pm
Implementing Perioperative Innovations at Your ASC Location: Room 302 Description: We are looking for clinicians and purchasers to participate in a focus group related to the ambulatory perioperative environment. Key groups we are seeking include: operating room staff, anesthesia providers, surgeons and purchasing managers. Hosted by 3M.
Driving Outpatient Joint and Spine Cases at Your ASC Location: Room 304 Description: We are looking for surgeons and ASC administrators to participate in a focus group to react to and share best practices, insights and key learnings. Hosted by DePuy Synthes.
Collaboration on Managing IT and Cybersecurity Risks at Your ASC Location: Room 312 Description: We are looking for ASC administrators and management company leaders to participate in a focus group about how information technology (IT) is managed, supported and protected at their facilities. Covering the spectrum of local IT resources to third-party managed service providers, we seek to collaborate with the group on best practices for IT support models and cybersecurity protections to prevent breaches. Hosted by ICE Technologies, Inc.
Understanding Best Practices for Infection Prevention and Technology Implementation Location: Room 309 Description: We are looking for operating room staff, ASC administrators, surgeons and purchasing managers who play a role in establishing procedures or guidelines related to infection prevention. Our goal is to better understand the demands of the ASC perioperative environment, including financial and productivity expectations, quality standards and infection prevention. Hosted by Indigo Clean.
Successful Reimbursement for Postsurgical Pain Management Location: Room 313 Description: We are looking for multi-specialty, orthopedic/spine ASC administrators, billing personnel, billing companies and payers to participate in a focus group to understand best practices in billing, reimbursement and payer negotiation. Hosted by Pacira Pharmaceuticals.

Friday, April 13 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Driving Costs Out of Your ASC with Physician Preference Items (PPI) Benchmarking Technology Location: Room 313 Description: We are looking for ASC owners, surgeons, administrators and nursing staff to participate in this discussion around utilizing benchmarking technology to drive costs out of the ASC. Hosted by Henry Schein Medical.

ASCA 2018
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Advanced Sessions

Infection Prevention Sessions

Full Schedule

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ASCA 2018Session Details

ASCA 2018
Session Details