ESTS 2026 Symposia: Session 2 of 3 with Lars Geenen

This e-learning module is based on the second presentation from the Medela-sponsored ESTS 2026 symposium, Delivering High-Value Thoracic Surgery: Outcomes, Processes and Quality Improvement.

In this session, Lars Geenen, PhD (The Netherlands) explores how evidence-based, standardized chest drain management pathways can improve quality and consistency in thoracic surgery. Learners will examine how standardized approaches can reduce variability in care, support earlier chest drain removal, and enable selective drain omission in appropriately selected patients. The session also addresses the practical and cultural challenges associated with implementing change and highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, clear clinical protocols, and continuous audit in achieving sustainable improvements in patient outcomes.

Key learning topics:

• The role of standardized chest drain management pathways in reducing variability of care
• Strategies to support earlier chest drain removal and selective drain omission
• Common barriers to implementing practice change in thoracic surgery
• The importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and clear protocols
• Using continuous audit and feedback to support quality improvement initiatives

Continue the symposium series:

• Session 1: Data: Evaluating Baseline of Quality Improvement and Variability of Care with Andrea Billè
• Session 3: Implementation: Transforming Data and Pathways into Value-Based Clinical Care with Eric Lim