For other meanings, including those involved in tort law, see Standard of Care (disambiguation).
Ordinary and extraordinary care are distinguished by some bioethical theories, including the teaching of the Catholic Church.
[1] In explaining the Catholic Church's attitude towards preserving life, Pope Pius XII, in a 1957 Address to Anaesthetists, stated: “[...] normally one is held to use only ordinary means – according to circumstances of persons, places, times and culture – that is to say, means that do not involve any grave burden for oneself or another.”[2] A 1957 article by the Jesuit theologian Father Gerald Kelly provides further detail.
He defined ordinary and extraordinary means as follows:[3] Ordinary means to preserve life have also been defined as "what is reasonable", taking into account "reasonable/proportionate hope of benefit/success; common diligence; and not unreasonably demanding."
In this view, elements of extraordinary needs are "what is inappropriate", characterized by “certain impossibility; excessive effort; level of pain; extraordinarily expensive; and causing severe dread or revulsion.