A Risk Sciences International Case Study

Risk-Based Decision-Making (RBDM) Support for Plasma Supply / Sufficiency

Plasma

Client: Canadian Blood Services

Listing of the client in no way affirms the client's support, sponsorship, or validation in any form of Risk Sciences International or the RSI staff member(s) who conducted this project during their stay with RSI or prior to joining the company. This case study is displayed for informative purposes only to demonstrate the capacity of RSI staff members. This case study reveals no proprietary information or information deemed sensitive.

Project description:

Risk-Based Decision-Making (RBDM) Support for Plasma Sufficiency

Facing renewed challenges in securing a reliable domestic plasma supply, Canadian Blood Services sought support to apply a Risk-Based Decision-Making (RBDM) framework. The objective was to assess the value and implications of expanding domestic plasma collection and processing capacity in response to the emergence of commercial plasma operations that export plasma to international markets.

The work focused on guiding the client through multiple phases of the RBDM process, including early-stage preparation and problem formulation, through to the evaluation and decision-making stages. Specific tasks included characterizing the issue, identifying decision drivers, framing assessment questions, and outlining potential risk management options. RSI provided modeling support, updated and developed new risk scenarios, and contributed to the evaluation of trade-offs associated with different strategies.

The engagement also entailed compiling a comprehensive report that documented each step of the RBDM process—covering assessment types such as security of supply, health economics, operational risk, and contextual considerations. The final output included a well-structured summary of findings and recommendations, along with the design and layout of the final report, developed in alignment with the client’s branding guidelines.

This work enabled the client to evaluate risk-informed options and make evidence-based decisions aimed at ensuring an adequate, secure, and sustainable plasma supply for Canadian patients.

Start: 2019

End: 2019

Experts related to this case study

Greg Paoli

CEO, Principal Risk Scientist

Greg Paoli is the CEO and Principal Risk Scientist at Risk Sciences International (RSI), a firm he co-founded in 2006 following the integration of his earlier consultancy, Decisionalysis Risk Consultants, with the consulting activities of the McLaughlin Centre for Population...
Read More about Greg Paoli

Cemil ‘Jim’ Alyanak

Vice-President Communications and Strategic Initiatives

Cemil ‘Jim’ Alyanak joined Risk Sciences International (RSI) in 2018 and serves as Vice-President, Communications and Strategic Initiatives. In this senior leadership role, he leads RSI’s risk communications practice, drives cross-cutting initiatives, advances strategic in-house projects, and expands the company’s...
Read More about Cemil ‘Jim’ Alyanak

More RSI Case Studies

RSI presents a very small selection of case studies to highlight some of its key work.

Assessing the Impact of Interstudy Variation in LOAELs on Findings of Low-Dose Additivity in In Vivo Studies of Mixtures

Demonstrating the safe use of chemical mixtures remains a critical challenge in toxicological science. In recent years, studies have suggested that chemicals can exhibit dose additivity—causing a combined effect—even when each chemical individually is below its effect threshold. This project...
Read More about Assessing the Impact of Interstudy Variation in LOAELs on Findings of Low-Dose Additivity in In Vivo Studies of Mixtures

Airport traffic flow and signage review

An international airport authority sought a comprehensive assessment of passenger and vehicle traffic flow after receiving complaints of confusion and safety concerns. Reports indicated that passengers were struggling to interpret signage, often stopping too long to process graphics, which caused...
Read More about Airport traffic flow and signage review

Risk Communication on McIntyre Powder

In response to increasing public concern about the historical use of McIntyre Powder—an aluminum-based substance once administered to miners in Ontario to prevent silicosis—the client sought expert guidance on managing risk communication related to potential health implications. Widespread media coverage...
Read More about Risk Communication on McIntyre Powder

Risk-Based Optimization of Enforcement Activities

A federal agency required scientific support to enhance the effectiveness of its environmental enforcement activities. This involved identifying and analyzing the risk factors—both environmental and human health-related—that contribute to the likelihood and impact of regulatory offences. The objective was to...
Read More about Risk-Based Optimization of Enforcement Activities

Risk-based decision making framework

The Alliance of Blood Operators (ABO) sought to move its members toward a consistent, transparent approach to risk-based decision-making. Having worked through the development of a framework, the organization now wanted formal adoption, external validation, and practical application to real-world...
Read More about Risk-based decision making framework

Marine Planning and Conservation National Ecological Risk Guidance: Risk Communication Expertise

To support the refinement and implementation of its ecological risk guidance, a federal department responsible for marine conservation engaged expert assistance in risk communication. The primary objective was to ensure that the national guidance for ecological risk assessment—developed as part...
Read More about Marine Planning and Conservation National Ecological Risk Guidance: Risk Communication Expertise

External Peer Review of the Draft Screening Assessment Report on Selected C3-C5 Alcohols

To support the quality and defensibility of regulatory decision-making under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), Health Canada engaged Risk Sciences International to coordinate an independent external peer review of the Draft Screening Assessment Report (DSAR) for Selected C3-C5...
Read More about External Peer Review of the Draft Screening Assessment Report on Selected C3-C5 Alcohols

External Peer Consultation of the Inorganic – Late Biomonitoring Approach Draft Screening Assessment Report

To support the Chemicals Management Plan under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), Health Canada sought expert peer consultation for a draft screening assessment report (DSAR) evaluating 47 inorganic substances identified as priorities. The client required independent scientific and technical...
Read More about External Peer Consultation of the Inorganic – Late Biomonitoring Approach Draft Screening Assessment Report

Risk Model Framework for Foodborne Campylobacteriosis via Poultry Meat Pathway

To support national public health goals, RSI was tasked with developing a quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) model to estimate the human health risks associated with the consumption of chicken in New Zealand. The core objective was to quantify the...
Read More about Risk Model Framework for Foodborne Campylobacteriosis via Poultry Meat Pathway

Systematic Review of Artificial Sweeteners and Health Risks

A comprehensive systematic review was undertaken to assess experimental evidence regarding the potential health risks associated with artificial sweeteners, specifically focusing on cancer and pre-term delivery. The client sought a rigorous analysis of both in vivo and in vitro experimental...
Read More about Systematic Review of Artificial Sweeteners and Health Risks

Environmental Public Health Approach (EPHA) to Chemicals Expert Workshop

To advance the Government of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), a virtual expert workshop was planned and hosted to refine and evaluate a Canadian framework for the Environmental Public Health Approach (EPHA) to chemicals. The initiative focused on developing case...
Read More about Environmental Public Health Approach (EPHA) to Chemicals Expert Workshop

Wildfire and residential smoke risk communication

Government authorities faced recurring challenges in communicating health risks from smoke caused by both wildfires and residential burning. While these events were becoming more frequent and more severe, the public health messages often failed to resonate with affected communities or...
Read More about Wildfire and residential smoke risk communication

Building an international alliance and campaign

UN-Habitat sought to establish a new global platform to bring coherence to international dialogue on sustainable urbanization. At the outset, this initiative had no name, no identity, and no governing structure, only the recognition that cities faced pressing challenges requiring...
Read More about Building an international alliance and campaign

Communication material on lithium in drinking water and health risks

To support public communication around emerging drinking water concerns, RSI was engaged to develop accessible, scientifically grounded materials on lithium exposure and its potential health effects. The work focused on equipping stakeholders with clear, credible information that could inform both...
Read More about Communication material on lithium in drinking water and health risks

Characterizing uncertainty in MAF values estimated using the KEMI MAF

The client sought to improve understanding of uncertainties surrounding the application of mixture assessment factors (MAFs) for aquatic receptors, specifically those estimated using the KEMI methodology. While the KEMI MAF approach is considered technically robust, its assumptions—particularly about chemical-specific controls,...
Read More about Characterizing uncertainty in MAF values estimated using the KEMI MAF

Measuring impact of zoonotic animal diseases in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency sought RSI’s support in exploring how human health impacts from zoonotic diseases could be compared consistently with other public health risks. Traditionally, animal disease control decisions relied on veterinary and economic measures, but there was...
Read More about Measuring impact of zoonotic animal diseases in Canada

Update of WHO Guidance on Food Defense

To support international efforts in mitigating deliberate threats to the food system, the World Health Organization commissioned an update to its earlier guidance titled Terrorist Threats to Food. The revision aimed to broaden the original scope by addressing not only...
Read More about Update of WHO Guidance on Food Defense

Technical Support for Risk-Based Decision Making (RBDM)

To enhance the oversight of cannabis production under its regulatory mandate, the Cannabis Directorate sought expert support in developing a risk-based decision-making framework tailored to its compliance and enforcement responsibilities. The directorate aimed to better assess and respond to non-conformance...
Read More about Technical Support for Risk-Based Decision Making (RBDM)