Ordinary and extraordinary care

Ordinary and extraordinary care are distinguished by some bioethical theories, including the teaching of the Catholic Church. Ordinary care is obligatory, but can become extraordinary care under certain situations. Extraordinary care is care whose provision involves a disproportionately great burden on the patient or community, and hence is not morally obligatory.

On the Catholic version of the distinction, the natural provision of life necessities, such as food, air, and water, is an example of ordinary care, although it does not exhaust ordinary care, since easily performed medical procedures (that do not impose an undue burden on patient and community) will also be ordinary care.