On December 30, 2009 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued standards for Disaster Preparedness. A State Expert Panel on Disaster Preparedness for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) was convened shortly after to develop guidelines for ASCs.  The Panel was convened by the Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program in collaboration with the Association of Wisconsin Surgery Centers to assist Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) meet these standards by developing template plans that could be adapted by ASCs for their unique environment.