POLST

A POLST form is a portable medical order that specifies a patient’s wishes regarding end-of-life care. This document is typically intended for patients with serious illness or frailty, not for healthy individuals engaging in general advance care planning. POLST forms are designed to be easily identified and understood by healthcare providers in emergency situations.

The POLST is created through a collaborative process involving a healthcare professional and the patient or their legally authorized representative, such as a Medical Power of Attorney. The care team discusses the patient’s current condition, prognosis, and treatment preferences – such as CPR, medical interventions, and artificially administered nutrition. The patient or their representative can change or revoked the order if the patient’s preference or condition change.

To be valid, a POLST must be signed by a qualified healthcare professional. Once signed, healthcare providers across various care settings – including the patient’s home, hospitals, and long-term care facilities – are required to follow these orders.

The POLST complements, but does not replace, other advance directives. While these documents are important for expressing general wishes, a POLST provides specific medical orders for current treatment.

“POLST” formerly was an acronym for “Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment” but is now used as a standalone word. The change in name reflects the broader definition of care team and focus on patient preference. Some states use different names for the POST document.