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.