Listening is an overlooked tool, that can be used to cultivate an environment of safety.

The history books are full of famous speeches and their speakers, but who can name many famous listeners? With many more synonyms for speaking than listening, it seems that we place a greater value on speaking than listening.

However, at Iodem we believe that success is about listening more than talking. Indeed, we believe that it is the fastest way to learn. Listening to each other fosters a culture of involvement and respect, creating a roundtable at which insights and feedback can be shared in order to drive innovation and improvement.

At Iodem, we listen to our clients and their stakeholders, to gain the insight that can help services secure the knowledge that will drive measurable and sustainable change, built upon trust and understanding. By asking the right questions and gaining different perspectives, we ensure that we bring the correct skills (professional, clinical, investigative) to the team and have identified who we need to engage with along the way.

There are many different types of investigations and reviews, and an equally large variety of tools, all apparently designed to maximise the learning in each case. The skill is knowing which tool or combination of tools will work best to deliver results. At Iodem, our approach is tailored to the needs of our clients.

Our teams of highly skilled and trained investigators have significant experience of these tools, and our processes mirror best practice.

Our investigations are carried out with improving safety as a focus. Iodem delivers a robust, impartial and comprehensive study of the relevant evidence to inform decision makers.

We always use a proportionate approach towards the issues to be investigated. The word ‘proportionate' does not mean ‘less' – it means doing the right amount of work to properly inform and fully support our findings.

We value our independence, which ensures our objectivity and credibility. This means that our clients can be confident that our work displays an audit trail, which is both transparent and can withstand public and legal scrutiny.

Iodem understand that most safety incidents are a result of a combination of circumstances. Iodem use a variety of analytical techniques that evaluate the interconnected contributory, human and causal factors involved in safety events.

Analysis by our skilled team includes consideration of national and local policies, current research and models of good practice. We actively include information provided by opposing opinions and perspectives in this process in order to generate thinking which will deliver improvement. The tools which Iodem adopt accord with best practice and recognised national guidance.

Most incidents are caused by weaknesses in systems, which then lead to conditions that make it difficult for individuals to do the right thing. Because an Iodem team is bespoke, it will include individuals with ‘hands on' experience in the relevant specialist field to select the most appropriate analytical tools.

Due to Iodem's expertise, analysis will include deep understanding and insight, enabling us to transform critical information into the knowledge that allows our client to make an informed and secure judgement about next steps.

When a stone breaks the surface of undisturbed water, while the stone predictably sinks to the ground, the ripples that emanate from the point of contact are inevitable and far-reaching. Iodem understand that the impact of a safety incident can have the same unpredictable and extensive effect. Our investigations are designed to successfully identify and address these impacts.

During our investigations we do everything we can to reduce any potential negative effects. We produce materials which explain what we do and why. We make time to communicate why we concentrate on the systems and processes that support staff, rather than the supposed failings of individuals.

We work hard to create an open and transparent environment surrounding our investigations and reviews. Our experience is that this leads to an open and transparent environment where staff feel encouraged to collaborate with us and potential negative impacts can be addressed effectively.

We take time to ensure that relationships are fostered and trust is strengthened, because we recognise that improving care, and reducing potential detrimental impact, is an intrinsic part of everyone's job.

At Iodem we help our clients create the conditions which allow a culture of safety to flourish. The recommendations which we make are aimed at improving performance and safety.

We work in collaboration with our clients to develop solutions that address their individual needs, and exploit the benefits of the opportunities for learning, which have been identified on behalf of organisations, their staff and the individuals receiving care.

The expertise and experience of our team is utilised in coordination with our clients to establish solutions which will achieve continuous and measurable improvement.

We can provide practical support and resources, through a number of our services, which will deliver quantifiable and sustainable change using a high-level roadmap. Our roadmap identifies three levels of activity: strategic, change, and action steps. The roadmap includes guidance, best practice, practical tools, and “essential insight” in an intuitive and organised format. It includes a range of suggestions and tools that can be used by decision makers, managers, and clinicians to improve safety.

Perhaps the biggest barrier to learning in a safety investigation is the unspoken question in the minds of those who are actually best placed to improve safety:

"What will happen to me because this went wrong, and now questions are being asked?"

We recognise the negative impact that the insidious blame culture which may exist in relation to safety incidents can have.

At Iodem, our expertise enables us to have difficult conversations that bring everybody together, to find a shared way of solving problems. We reduce the impact that a clinical investigation has on every party involved in a safety incident, and when we manage an investigation, we create an environment of involvement and respect, meaning we don't miss opportunities to progress, which allows for long-term sustainable improvement.

It is important that each employee knows their value, and so Iodem work with our clients to fulfill their specific needs, providing a specialised, bespoke service that prioritises patient safety, reduces negative impacts, and creates a compassionate and coordinated workplace system.