What are Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)?

‍POLST forms are medical orders signed by a physician that specify treatment preferences for seriously ill patients. These portable, brightly colored forms tell emergency personnel and healthcare providers exactly what life-sustaining treatments to provide or withhold.

Why are POLST forms important?

• Emergency guidance: Clear instructions for first responders.
• Medical orders: Legally binding physician directives.
• Specific choices: Details exact treatments wanted or not wanted.

POLST addresses

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Level of medical intervention.
• Artificial nutrition and hydration.

How Solace can help

‍A Solace advocate can help you understand POLST options, facilitate discussions with your physician, and ensure forms are properly completed and distributed. They can also help coordinate POLST forms with other advance directives and update them as needed.