As a proactive leader in the Ambulatory Surgery industry, the California Ambulatory Surgery Association will advance communication and education, appropriate legislative and regulatory actions and continue the enhancement of industry excellence to embrace the challenges of the 21st Century.

Code of Ethics

The California Ambulatory Surgery Association (·CASA·) and each of its members agrees to adopt and implement policies to promote the ethical management in the ambulatory surgery industry. Members shall promote the advancement of ambulatory surgery technology and methods, encourage educational activities demonstrating the benefits of ambulatory surgery, promote the efficient, safe and effective utilization of medical care resources and operate facilities in a fiscally responsible manner benefiting and protecting the general public.

History

In 1988, there were two surgery associations in California, one in Northern California and one in Southern California. The two organizations decided to host a joint conference in San Luis Obispo in September of 1988.

The turnout for the joint conference was more than the two associations could have imagined. More than 100 people attended the conference. The groups then decided to combine efforts and officially formed the California Ambulatory Surgery Association (CASA) on November 16, 1988. This era was a new beginning for ambulatory surgery centers. At this point, most centers were still affiliated with hospitals and many were not freestanding.

CASA at the time had three points of focus that helped their membership grow:

Provide educational opportunities and training
Keep members apprised of industry issues
Focus on legislation impacting surgery centers

By April 1989 CASA had 52 members and over the years CASA membership continued to grow. In 1990, CASA had 87 members and in 1991, there were 97. Membership spiked in 1992 to 148 members.

By the mid 90s, corporations began to buy up various surgery centers. This impacted CASA greatly as these companies started their own internal education program, and members saw less of the education value in CASA.

By 1999, CASA was in serious financial trouble and their membership had decreased sharply. By 2000, membership had dwindled to 40 members and the board didn’t know if they would be able to retain those members through that year.

The CASA board decided it was time to take a new approach. They formed a taskforce to analyze the association and discussed lack of member involvement. After the two-day program, the CASA board used the last of their $50,000 reserves to hire an executive director and take CASA in a new direction.

CASA revamped its organization and started changing to accommodate the industry. Many say the worker’s compensation reform a few years later pulled CASA and the industry together. Many surgery centers joined CASA to ensure surgery centers would have a stronger unified voice in the future.

Since 2001, the number of paid members of CASA has significantly grown. In 2001, member numbers were at 67. The association broke the triple digit mark in 2003 with 143 members, and in 2006, the association peaked at the highest number in six years at 200.

These past experiences have proven to be valuable lessons and CASA and its members realized the importance of a unified voice and the need for a strong recognition in Sacramento and Washington.

With 20 years of experience CASA continues to be committed to the original focus of the organization by evolving with the trends of the industry. As of 2007 CASA focus remains:

To develop a strong legislative presence both at the State and Federal level
Create a consistent message and identity for CASA and the ASC industry
Provide leadership for our industry
Create Value for our membership through
Education (Web-cast, Seminars, Annual Conference)
Providing helpful tools and resources to utilize in day-to-day operations
- Benchmarking tools
- Marketing resources
- Billing Opinions and resources
- Member Message board
- Communications