STANDARDIZATION IN ACTION - ACHIEVING LOCAL UNIVERSALITY THROUGH MEDICAL PROTOCOLS

In this paper, we argue that universality is always 'local universalit y'. The achievement of local universality depends on how standards man age the tension involved in transforming work practices, while simulta neously being grounded in those practices. We investigate how this is done in two case studies - an oncology protocol and the Cardio Pulmona ry Resuscitation (CPR) protocol. These protocols are viewed as technos cientific scripts which crystallize multiple trajectories. In the proc ess of obtaining local universality, we illustrate how protocols feed off previous standards and practices. We then indicate how the protoco ls function through the distributed work of a multitude of heterogeneo us actors. Finally, we argue that, in this process, the protocols them selves are necessarily changed and partially reappropriated.