Defining extraordinary care

Criteria-based protocols are an ethically appropriate strategy to addressing issues such as allocation of scarce resources; however, protocols can conflict with the ethical ideal of respect for individual autonomy. This article illustrates the conflict that can occur between individual patient situations and standardized criteria-based protocols. Furthermore, ordinary care and treatment outlined in criteria-based protocols can become extraordinary in some cases. The case study presented illustrates why it is important to distinguish between ordinary and extraordinary care in some situations. The distinction between the two is described herein.