SESSION DETAILS

Thursday, September 4

ASC Tour and Welcome Reception

Orthopedic Surgery Center of the Fox Valley

You're invited to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of The Orthopedic Surgery Center of the Fox Valley in Appleton, followed by a networking reception.

Friday, September 5

ASCA Federal Update

Alex Taira, ASCA Associate Director, Public and Regulatory Affairs

Stay informed about the latest developments impacting the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) community with the ASCA Federal Update session. Presented by Alex Taira, Associate Director of Public and Regulatory Affairs at the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), this informative session will provide a comprehensive overview of key federal policies, regulations, and legislative changes that directly affect ASCs. Gain valuable insights into reimbursement updates, compliance requirements, and advocacy efforts that shape the ASC landscape. Join us to navigate the evolving healthcare environment and ensure your ASC remains at the forefront of excellence and compliance.

State Legislative Update

Andy Engel, WISCA Lobbyist, Hamilton Consulting

Stay abreast of crucial developments impacting ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in Wisconsin with the ASCA Wisconsin State Legislative Update session. Led by experts from the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), this session offers an insightful overview of the latest state-level policies, regulations, and legislative changes that directly influence ASC operations in Wisconsin. Delve into topics such as licensure, reimbursement, and compliance, while gaining a clear understanding of the local advocacy efforts shaping ASC practices in the state. Join us to ensure your ASC remains well-prepared and compliant in Wisconsin's dynamic healthcare landscape.

Elevating Care: The 5 Pillars of a Five-Star Patient Experience

Jessica Bush, MHA, BSN, RN, CAPA, CPXP, CPC

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are realizing that patient experience is crucial to their reputation and success. With the introduction of OAS CAHPS public reporting in 2025, patients will be more discerning, much like shopping for products based on star ratings. Achieving a 5- star rating is possible by focusing on five essential areas: leadership development, employee engagement, coaching, accountability, and the utilization of best practices. This workshop will explore each of these components, providing actionable insights designed to enhance patient experience and drive overall success. When these elements are effectively integrated, they not only boost patient satisfaction but also cultivate a healthier workplace culture, leading to improved retention of both staff and patients. By participating in this workshop, you will learn how to foster a thriving culture that consistently delivers exceptional care, positioning you on top in the industry.

Lean in Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Aneesh Suneja, MBA, FlowOne Lean Consulting, LLC

Participants will get an introduction to lean principles through a hands-on exercise and interactive discussions. They will learn by categorizing the operational inefficiencies using the framework of 7 wastes to identify improvement opportunities. For example:

• Motion: Excessive staff movement due to unclear communication and disorganized supply locations, including searching for anesthesia, equipment (e.g., BP cuffs, EKG leads), gloves, gowns, and confirming readiness of all parties involved in the procedure.
• Transportation: Frequent movement of heavy or specialized equipment (e.g., gas tanks, lasers), inefficiencies due to distant storage locations (e.g., sterile supply room), and inadequate equipment availability
• Inventory: Fragmented and poorly organized supply storage, including overstocked OR cabinets, hard-to find items (e.g., drill bits, suction bottles), and medication stored on different floors—resulting in delays and confusion, especially during trauma or after-hours cases.
• Waiting: Delays caused by late MDs, incomplete paperwork (e.g., consents, H&Ps), missing site markings, inconsistent IV start locations, and surgical case overlaps—patients and staff often wait due to scheduling misalignments or communication breakdowns.
• Defects: Clinical and operational errors including improper patient positioning, missed or incorrect supply/medication charges, allergy precautions not communicated, drug concentration changes, missed pregnancy tests, and errors from hasty dose calculations.
• Over-processing: Redundant communication and documentation tasks—multiple staff asking the same questions, duplicate paperwork by staff and residents, excessive documentation, and multilayered processes.
• Over-production: Resource allocation misaligned with actual demand—staffing for more rooms or general cases than needed, early patient calls resulting in long waits, and unnecessary preparation of supplies due to inaccurate pick lists.

Life Safety Code Common Deficiencies

James Eaves, Mock Survey Services

In this session, participants will learn how to develop strategies to prepare for CMS surveys and avoid both standard and condition level deficiencies. 

Five-Star Patient Experience, Pt. 2

Jessica Bush, MHA, BSN, RN, CAPA, CPXP, CPC

Join Jessica Bush for a continuation of her keynote in this in-depth breakout session. 

Empowering a Culture of Safety: Safe Medication and Infection Prevention Practices

Jennifer Kuhn, BSN, RN, CIC

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Healthcare-Associated Infections Program provides various infection prevention and control support and resources for healthcare organizations across the state. In this session, participants will learn more about infection prevention practices around medication safety in the ambulatory surgical setting and how to promote a culture of safety to protect patients from harm.

Performance Improvement

LoAnn Vande Leest

This session is designed to help everyone from the novice to the experienced ASC quality leader refine, prepare, facilitate and summarize a performance improvement study.

From Check-in to Buy-in: Turning Goals, Feedback, and Conversations into Everyday Engagement

Stacy Fenner, MorganHR

In this one-hour facilitated and interactive session, leaders will explore how to shift performance management from a year-end event to a culture of continuous conversation. Through shared discussion, peer learning, and practical activities, managers will learn how to set SMARTER™ goals that link to KPI's, match expectations to development levels, and give actionable feedback using the WRAP™ model. At the heart of this session is the ENGAGE™ model— a conversational framework designed to help leaders create safe, meaningful, and motivating performance conversations. When leaders lead with empathy, ask powerful questions, and focus on growth, performance becomes less about evaluation and more about momentum and building trust. This session helps managers move from check-the-box goal-setting conversations to real engagement, where feedback, clarity, and coaching come naturally.

Tabletop Exercise

Facilitated by Tracey Froiland RN, MSN

Session details coming soon.