Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

What is POLST and e-POLST?

The POLST form (Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) is a medical order, like a prescription for medication that must be prepared by a licensed health care provider. He or she must work directly with the patient or a surrogate decision maker to fill it out.

Unlike some other forms, a POLST is easily transferrable between the doctor that fills it out and any other doctor that is treating you. Also unlike some other forms, a POLST goes into effect as soon as it is signed.

A POLST is most helpful to people who:

• Have a serious or advanced illness such as cancer, COPD, or heart, liver, or kidney failure
• Have specific preferences about specific types of care that may be provided at the end of life, such as CPR, a feeding tube, or a mechanical ventilator
• Want a DNR order when living outside of a licensed healthcare facility

The preferences you indicate on the POLST form can be changed at any time by filling out a new form.

There is now an electronic system for POLST, called e-POLST, which is easier to access for healthcare providers and EMS (Emergency Medical Services). For most people, e-POLST functions exactly the same as POLST.

If you think the POLST would help you achieve your end-of-life care wishes, talk to your doctor. For many people, Advance Directives may be a more appropriate choice.

Adapted from Utah Commission on Aging Tool Kit for Advance Healthcare Planning (2012).

What's the difference between Advance Directives and POLST?

Adapted from POLST Paradigm.