09/07/2025

CASA Conference Wraps Up in San Diego, Delivering Educational Excellence

 

The CASA Conference wrapped up on Friday after a week of education, networking, and collaboration. With nearly 500 attendees and a record-breaking number of sponsors and exhibitors, this year’s event marked one of the most successful in CASA’s history.

One of the closing sessions, “Protocol for Reporting Incidents in California Surgery Centers,” brought together moderator Ann Hurd (Sutter Health) with a panel of regulatory experts including Deborah Edelman  (AAAHC), Kelly Dragon (ACHC), Elethia Dean (Quad A), and Liz Even (The Joint Commission). The discussion provided attendees with a practical roadmap for navigating reporting requirements and using them as tools for improvement.

The panel reviewed rules of key agencies, common pitfalls, and best practices for documentation and reporting. Speakers emphasized that reporting should not be seen as a punitive task, but rather as an opportunity to learn, strengthen processes, and improve patient outcomes. They outlined general categories of incidents, including procedural/process, staff competency, and facility/operational, and explained how accurate reporting protects patient safety, safeguards accreditation, reduces legal risks, and strengthens reputation through ensuring quality data. Panelists underscored that accreditation bodies view reporting as a partnership. Formal reporting allows centers to review practices, implement corrective actions, and build stronger systems.

This closing session exemplified what makes CASA unique: a community where members and experts (and competitors) come together to share knowledge, solve problems, and strengthen the ASC industry.

The conference also highlighted CASA’s continued growth, with new members joining each year and unmatched educational offerings. CASA remains committed to providing communication and education, driving advocacy at the state and federal levels, and supporting excellence in patient care.

Thank you to all who attended the CASA Conference 2025. We look forward to seeing you next year for another outstanding event!