Get HI Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) 2009

And, importantly, POLST forms do not expire meaning patients may be held to their choices many years after their preferences have changed. 3.

And, importantly, POLST forms do not expire meaning patients may be held to their choices many years after their preferences have changed. 3.

An advance directive is a direction from the patient, not a medical order. In contrast, a POLST form consists of a set of medical orders that applies to a limited population of patients and addresses a limited number of critical medical decisions.

One individual, 18 years of age or older, must witness the signature of the patient or his/her legal representative's consent of the POLST form. A witness may include a family member, friend or healthcare worker. The witness cannot be the healthcare practitioner signing the medical order.

The DNR guides Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers and can give EMS permission not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), whereas a POLST might include a DNR instruction regarding CPR, but provides more instructions regarding additional medical interventions.

The only requirement for a POLST form to be legally binding is for it to be signed by the patient or a representative and the patient's legal healthcare representative.

Must pink paper be used? Faxed copies and photocopies are valid. Ultra Pink paper is preferred and used to distinguish the form from other forms in the patient's medical record; however, the form will be honored on any color paper. Is the POLST form available in other languages?

When should a POLST form be reviewed? As a clinical matter, a patient's POLST form should be reviewed periodically and updated if: The patient is transferred from one care setting or care level to another (including upon admission or at discharge); There is a substantial change in the patient's health status; or.

Yes, the POLST can be modified or revoked by a patient, verbally or in writing, at any time. Changes may also be made by a physician, or requested by a patient's decisionmaker, based on new information or changes in the patient's condition. When should a patient's POLST form be reviewed?

The only requirement for a POLST form to be legally binding is for it to be signed by the patient or a representative and the patient's legal healthcare representative.