POLST Orders
Medical orders that follow you. Critical for serious illness.
What POLST is
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment.
- Or MOLST (Medical Orders) — same thing different state.
- NOT same as advance directive (which is wishes).
- POLST = ACTUAL doctor's orders.
- EMTs follow POLST.
- For people with serious illness.
When to do POLST
- Diagnosed with serious illness.
- Frail elderly.
- Wouldn't be surprised if died in next year.
- Hospice patients.
- Don't do for healthy seniors (advance directive instead).
- Ask primary doctor.
What POLST covers
- CPR — yes/no if heart stops.
- Hospital transfer — yes/no.
- Antibiotics — full treatment, comfort only.
- Tube feeding — yes/no/trial.
- Comfort measures only.
- Bright pink/orange form on fridge.
Sign with doctor
- Conversation with primary doctor.
- Discuss prognosis, options.
- Family member present often.
- Doctor signs.
- Patient or surrogate signs.
- Update annually or when situation changes.
After signing
- Original goes WITH PATIENT.
- On fridge for EMTs.
- Copy to family.
- Copy to doctor.
- Goes to hospital, nursing home.
- Some states have registry.
- Bright color so EMTs see.
Why important
Without POLST — EMTs do everything (CPR, ventilator). Often unwanted at end of life. POLST = your wishes followed even if can't speak. Free at primary care. Major peace of mind for serious illness. polst.org for state forms.