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This policy brief analyzes the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) in California, outlining its advantages, significant issues, and recommendations for improvement. It addresses

How to fill out polst - problems and

How to fill out POLST - Problems and Recommendations

1. Start by obtaining a POLST form from a healthcare provider or online source.
2. Discuss your medical conditions and treatment preferences with your healthcare provider.
3. Indicate your preferences for resuscitation, such as whether you want to be resuscitated or allowed to die naturally.
4. Fill out sections regarding medical interventions, including intubation and feeding tubes.
5. Ensure that your goals of care are clearly stated, including whether you prefer comfort care or other treatment options.
6. Sign the form with your healthcare provider as a witness, ensuring that it reflects your wishes.
7. Make copies of the completed POLST and share them with your healthcare provider, family members, and emergency contacts.

Who needs POLST - Problems and Recommendations?

1. Individuals with serious, advanced, or terminal illnesses who want to specify their treatment preferences.
2. Patients who may be unable to communicate their wishes during a medical emergency.
3. Elderly individuals with multiple chronic conditions who are considering their end-of-life care options.
4. People who desire to ensure their healthcare choices are respected in emergency situations.

People Also Ask about

Who is a POLST form recommended for?

The POLST form is designed for people who have chronic health conditions and/or those who are seriously ill or medically frail. A POLST is most useful for people who want less than fully aggressive medical treatment in their current health state. Filling out a POLST is voluntary.

What makes a POLST form invalid?

First, as noted earlier, POLST forms that document inconsistent care preferences or lack a required signature are not enforceable.

What is the difference between a POLST and a DNR order?

A POLST is more comprehensive than a “Do Not Resuscitate” order. A DNR is a stand-alone document that tells emergency medical personnel whether to perform CPR if your heart and breathing stop and you are unresponsive. A POLST includes your instructions about whether or not to perform CPR, but it doesn't stop there.

How is POLST different from DNR?

Like a DNR, a POLST form lets EMS know whether or not the patient wants CPR. DNR orders only apply when a person does not have a pulse, is not breathing and is unresponsive. However, in most medical emergencies, a person does have a pulse, is breathing or is responsive. That's where POLST is different.

Is a DNR the same as a CPR directive?

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is another kind of advance directive. A DNR is a request not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. (Unless given other instructions, hospital staff will try to help all patients whose heart has stopped or who have stopped breathing.)

What is the difference between a POLST and a MOLST?

Sure. MOLST and POLST are two acronyms defining medical orders. The MOLST is the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment and the POLST is the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. They're both the same thing, but in different states they call them by those two different names.

For pdfFiller’s FAQs

What is POLST - Problems and Recommendations?

POLST stands for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. It is a process that helps patients with serious illnesses or frailty specify their preferences for medical treatment and care, ensuring that their wishes are respected and followed.

Who is required to file POLST - Problems and Recommendations?

Typically, a POLST form is filled out by healthcare professionals in collaboration with patients who have serious illnesses or are nearing the end of life. It may involve physicians, nurse practitioners, or other authorized medical personnel.

How to fill out POLST - Problems and Recommendations?

To fill out a POLST form, the patient or their healthcare proxy should discuss treatment options with their healthcare provider, indicating their preferences clearly on the form. It should be signed by the provider and, where applicable, by the patient or their legal representative.

What is the purpose of POLST - Problems and Recommendations?

The purpose of POLST is to ensure that patients' wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments are honored and upheld. It provides clear medical orders that guide healthcare providers in emergency and non-emergency situations.

What information must be reported on POLST - Problems and Recommendations?

A POLST form typically requires information such as the patient's name, medical condition, preferences for life-sustaining treatment (including respiratory assistance, CPR, and artificial nutrition), and signatures from the patient and healthcare provider.