| |
What is the POLST form?
Very likely, this man's friend did not have a POLST
form. The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
is like a prescription and gives direction in very quick,
concise language about the procedures medical personnel should
and should not perform. The POLST form is completed by the
attending physician after discussion with patient/resident
or surrogate decision-maker regarding patient preferences. The
document may be completed by other health care professionals
under the direction of the attending physician. The attending
physician must sign the form and assume full responsibility
for its accuracy.
The POLST represents a very specific way
of summarizing wishes of an individual regarding life-sustaining
treatment. These
wishes may have already been expressed in another document,
such as a Healthcare Directive or Durable Power of Attorney
for Health Care.
The form accomplishes two major
purposes:
- It is portable from one care setting to another.
- It
translates wishes of an individual into actual physician
orders. (Return to list)
Why is another form necessary?
The POLST form takes the previously expressed wishes of an individual and translates them into a set of physician orders for medical treatment that should be followed by health care providers in a variety of care settings. These include the site of an emergency, an emergency room, an acute care hospital, or a long-term facility. Moreover, the form represents a means of transferring the known wishes of an individual from one care setting to another, using a uniform document in each setting. This form reduces the need for repetitive end-of-life discussions, facilitates the process, and provides security for the individual and physician that the expressed wishes will be carried out. There is no other form that streamlines the process in this way. (Return to list)
How is the form used?
In a health care facility, the form should be the first document in the clinical record. It should be recognized as a set of physician orders, to be implemented as any physicians orders would. In a non-institutionalized setting (such as a home), the form should be located in a prominent location. It will be recognized by emergency personnel as orders to be followed, in the same way the current EMS/No CPR form is used. (Return to list)
How is the form transferred from one setting to another?
The original green form must be transferred with
the individual to be valid. The institution may wish to keep a duplicated copy
in the permanent medical record upon discharge. (Return to list)
How may a form be obtained?
Individuals are asked to contact their physician to request the POLST form. If their physician is not yet aware of the form, the physician should call the Washington State Medical Association at (206) 441-9762 or (800) 552-0612 for information. (Return to list) |
|
