At CASA, we know California ASC leaders don’t have time for education that doesn’t deliver. That’s why every program on our calendar is designed for California ASCs, taught by experienced speakers, and focused on what you can implement right away. Here’s what’s coming up.
Great patient care starts with a team where everyone contributes. Renee will explore the everyday leadership behaviors that support psychological safety and high reliability, along with practical ways to recognize expertise, develop potential, and build shared ownership of safety across your center. There’s still time to register. CASA members pay $45 per session.
CASA’s annual Infection Prevention & Surveillance Seminar brings together infection preventionists, ASC leaders, and perioperative professionals for three focused mornings of practical, survey-ready education. Each day builds on the last, from the essential elements of a strong IP program to the practices that define excellence across the ASC to the specialized demands of the GI endoscopy suite.
DAY 1 | IP Essentials: Thursday, November 5, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM | 4 hours
DAY 2 | IP Excellence: Thursday, November 12, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM | 4 hours
DAY 3 | IP Endoscopy: Thursday, November 19, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 4 hours
Thursday, November 5, 2026
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
From Framework to Function: Bringing Your Infection Prevention Program to Life
Join us as we lay the foundation for a comprehensive, practical, and survey-ready IP program. We’ll explore the essential building blocks, from risk assessments to surveillance and accountability, and share real-world strategies to help you identify risks, strengthen compliance, and confidently demonstrate program effectiveness. Whether you’re building from the ground up or reinforcing an existing program, you’ll leave with tools and ideas you can put to work immediately.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Environmental Cleaning: Understanding Environmental Cleaning Excellence
Attendees will learn how to evaluate EVS processes, monitor room turnover and terminal cleaning, validate cleaning effectiveness, and oversee contracted services. The session will highlight what to look for, how to identify gaps, and how to work with EVS teams to ensure consistent cleaning practices that support infection prevention and patient safety.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ambulatory Surgery Center Superheroes: Knowing Your Superpower
This session discusses surgical site infections (SSIs) in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), explains the CDC’s conceptual formula for SSI risk, and identifies guidelines, recommended practices, and clinical evidence that can help reduce the risk of SSIs in ASCs.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Inside the Red Line: Unlocking OR Best Practices
Whether you are an OR-based IP professional or work primarily in Pre-Op or PACU, this session will give you the knowledge and tools to successfully observe and oversee safe OR practices. Topics will include patient preparation, medication practices, sterile table setup, implant handling, and maintaining sterile technique. Attendees will learn what to look for during observation, how to identify potential infection prevention risks, and how to discuss findings with the OR team in a constructive way that supports safer practices and continuous improvement.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Best Practices for Patient Safety and Compliance in SPD
This session will explore best practices for ensuring patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence in the sterile processing department (SPD). Attendees will review critical processes for instrument decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization, storage, and documentation, along with common compliance challenges and strategies to reduce risk. The session will provide practical guidance ASC leaders can use to strengthen SPD practices, support staff competency, and ensure consistent, safe, and compliant instrument processing.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Anesthesia and Providers Best Practices: Keeping Them Survey-Ready Every Day from the Infection Prevention Lens
This session will explore best practices for ASC providers and the infection prevention risks associated with the anesthesia team’s role in patient care and during surveys. Attendees will learn practical strategies to mitigate common anesthesia-related infection prevention risks, strengthen compliance, and ensure survey readiness. The session will also cover best practices for physician onboarding, including required documentation, competencies, and infection prevention expectations.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
From Guidelines to Practice: Writing Policies That Drive Infection Prevention Compliance and Quality
This session will explore how to translate infection prevention guidelines and evidence-based recommendations into clear, practical policies that support consistent practice, compliance, and quality. Attendees will learn strategies for developing policies that are actionable, easy for staff to follow, and aligned with current standards and regulatory expectations—helping move infection prevention from written guidance to everyday practice.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
ASC Infection Prevention Programs and Common Deficiencies
This session will provide an inside look at common infection prevention deficiencies identified in ambulatory surgery centers and the key elements of a strong, effective IP program. Attendees will learn how to identify common gaps, strengthen policies and practices, and proactively address areas of risk before survey. The session will provide practical strategies to help ASC leaders maintain a robust infection prevention program and stay survey-ready every day.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Fundamentals of Scope Reprocessing
This session reviews the fundamentals of flexible endoscope reprocessing, from point-of-use treatment through cleaning, high-level disinfection, drying, and storage. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of each step in the process and the practices that support patient safety and consistent, compliant reprocessing.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Reprocessing of Endoscopic Accessories: What You Need to Know
This session targets irrigation tubing and connectors, backflow protection, and single-use versus reusable endoscope valves. It covers standards and guidelines for processing reusable accessories such as valves and “buttons,” along with cleaning tools including air/water channel irrigators and cleaning brushes, and addresses backflow protection processes for irrigation bottles.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Common Citations and How to Solve Them in the Real World
This session takes a practical look at the infection prevention citations most commonly issued to ASCs and GI centers. Attendees will learn why these citations occur and walk away with real-world, sustainable solutions to address them and stay survey-ready.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
A Day in the Life of a GI Infection Preventionist
What should an Infection Preventionist be looking for in a GI endoscopy unit? This practical session follows the IP through routine GI infection prevention activities, from observing endoscope reprocessing and patient-care practices to identifying gaps, providing education, monitoring adherence, and turning findings into meaningful QAPI activities. Designed to give new IPs a practical starting point while reinforcing core processes for experienced GI IPs.
Plan ahead and save the dates for the rest of our series:
Sessions are $45 each for CASA members, available on demand, and offer CEUs, AEUs, and IPCHs where appropriate.
California employers with five or more employees must provide supervisors with two hours of anti-harassment training every two years. This live, virtual workshop is taught by Fisher Phillips attorneys and helps your organization meet the requirement while giving supervisors practical management skills. This is a live session only and will not be available on demand.
Register today at www.casurgery.org. Questions? Contact CASA at kreiter@casurgery.org or 530.790.7990.