MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ASCA’s Annual Meeting this Year? You Need to Be There
H
ave you made your travel arrangements? ASCA 2017 is May 3–6 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, just minutes from Washington, DC. With more than 60 educational sessions, an exhibit hall filled with state-of-the-art, time- and money-saving solutions for your ASC and a one-of-a-kind opportunity to join your colleagues in visiting Capitol Hill to advocate for policies that protect and support your ASC, this meeting is one you just can’t miss. Inspired by the meeting’s location this year, ASCA is inviting everyone at ASCA 2017 to take part in National Advocacy Day. When you sign up for this event, you will attend a briefing on the key issues that ASCs are asking Congress to address and participate in visits with your members of Congress and their staff. Everyone who participates will earn continuing education credit for the briefing and, using recordings, be able to access any session content and continuing education credit opportunities they might miss in the main program. Don’t be concerned if you’ve never participated in a Hill visit before. ASCA staff
will give you the information you need to participate and accompany you and your colleagues every step of the way. Also inspired by the location of this meeting, ASCA has invited representatives from four federal agencies to make presentations. You will be able to hear firsthand from officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security on topics ranging from drug shortages and the disposal of controlled substances to preparing for a Medicare survey and protecting your patients and staff from a violent event in your facility. Other special features of this year’s meeting include a full day of sessions focused on infection prevention and special 90-minute sessions on Saturday morning designed to give you added time to get more in-depth information on critical topics such as designing and maintaining an effective medication management program; managing claims denials, including common bundled payment issues; and avoiding violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law and False Claims Act. Optional workshops that will be offered before the full meeting program begins can
help you guide your ASC as it adapts to changing Life Safety Code and accreditation requirements, manage your toughest human resources challenges and prepare for the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) exam. Another special session being offered for the first time that day will connect ASC staff who are new to the ASC setting or assuming a leadership role in their facility for the first time with seasoned professionals to discuss expectations, challenges, opportunities for growth and the many new ideas and operational efficiencies Next Gen leaders are bringing into the ASC setting. To see the full schedule and sign up, go to
ascassociation.org/asca2017. While you are in the DC area, I encourage you to invite friends and family to join
Seeking Authors
ASC Focus is seeking the contribution of articles by guest authors. If you have the expertise and time to write for us, we’d be interested in hearing from you.
Please see our editorial guidelines at
www.ascassociation.org/Focus and submit your story proposal to
smukerji@ascassociation.org.
6 ASC FOCUS JANUARY 2017
you before or after ASCA 2017 to help you explore this great city. Its rich history, cultural attractions and expanding nationally and internationally recognized cuisine and nightlife cannot be found in any other city in the world. Start to plan your visit now by going to
ascassociation.org/asca2017, clicking on the “Hotel & Travel” tab and scrolling down to “Explore Washington, DC.” There, you will see “100 Free & Almost Free Things to Do”—a great place to start. I look forward to seeing you in Washington, DC.
Rebecca Craig, RN, CASC President of ASCA’s Board of Directors
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