Understanding POLST Forms: A Critical Tool in Advance Care Planning

What Are POLST Forms?

POLST stands for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. These forms are designed to communicate a patient's preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments, such as CPR or mechanical ventilation, in situations where they may be unable to make decisions themselves.

POLST forms are distinct from living wills and advance directives because they include specific medical orders that healthcare providers can implement immediately.

How POLST Forms Work

The process of completing a POLST form involves a conversation between the patient, their family members, and the healthcare provider. The form is then signed by both the physician and the patient (if they are capable). This document is then placed in the patient's medical record to ensure that it is accessible during critical situations.

POLST forms can be categorized into different levels of care, such as full code, do not resuscitate (DNR), or limited interventions, allowing for nuanced and personalized healthcare planning.

Why POLST Forms Matter

POLST forms are crucial in ensuring that patients' wishes are respected during critical illness. They provide a clear and concise way to communicate preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments, reducing the burden on family members and healthcare providers who may otherwise have to make difficult decisions under stress.

By completing POLST forms, patients can avoid unnecessary medical interventions that may not align with their values or goals of care.

Real-World Examples

For instance, a patient who has completed a POLST form indicating a DNR order will have this information readily available to healthcare providers during an emergency. This can prevent unwanted and potentially harmful interventions that the patient may not want.

Another example is a patient with advanced dementia who prefers limited life-sustaining treatments. A POLST form allows for these preferences to be clearly documented, ensuring that care aligns with the patient's wishes.

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open POLST Form Medical Order Simulator and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.