Additional Resources:
POLST (Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment)
Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a physician order
that allows an individual or their decision maker to clearly outline specific
preferences regarding care toward the end-of-life. A POLST is recognized
along the continuum of care and mandated to be honored by healthcare workers
in all settings. A POLST is for seriously ill patients with a limited
life expectancy. Our team is available to assist patients and families
in completing a POLST in consultation with their care provider. For more
information on POLST, visit
https://polst.org/
What is the Difference Between an Advance Directive and a POLST?
Everyone 18 and older should complete an advance directive and appoint
a decision maker who can speak for them in the event that they can’t
speak for themselves. An advance directive provides instruction for future
care. A POLST form is for patients who are seriously ill and want to indicate
through a physician order the kind of care they want and do not want.
A POLST form does not appoint a legal decision maker.
The Difference Between an Advance Directive and a POLST