Which type of health service is considered an extension of tertiary care?

Quaternary care is considered an extension of tertiary care because it encompasses advanced levels of treatment that are often highly specialized and not widely available. This type of care typically involves complex and rare procedures or treatments that require expert medical personnel and sophisticated technology. It may include groundbreaking experimental procedures or specialized surgeries that are performed in specialized facilities or research hospitals.

While tertiary care provides specialized consultative healthcare, typically after referral from primary or secondary care, quaternary care takes it a step further, focusing on the most complex and advanced medical functions. Examples might include organ transplants, complex cardiovascular surgeries, or treatment involving rare pathogens.

In contrast to primary and secondary care, which are more general and involve more routine medical care, quaternary care is crucial for patients who require extremely specialized attention that goes beyond the capabilities of standard tertiary services.