POLST for Patients
You can have a say in your care.
Having a POLST form translates your wishes into medical orders, so that your end-of-life instructions are clear to emergency personnel and other healthcare providers.
POLST Gives Control to Patients
Our final moments are often in the hands of emergency medical providers, who will try everything possible in an attempt to save your life if you cannot speak for yourself. While CPR and other life-saving measures are highly appropriate for most people, for people who are already near the end of life, resuscitation attempts can be unbearably painful, traumatic, and very often ineffective. A POLST form is an active medical order that translates your say about the interventions you do and do not want into clear medical orders.
If you’re considering a POLST form, these four steps can help you understand what it is, clarify your wishes, make informed choices, and ensure your preferences are honored when it matters most.
1
Learn What a POLST Form Is, Who It’s For, and How it Helps
The POLST form is a portable medical order that tells health care personnel — and family and your care partners— which treatments you want and which ones you do not want, should you be unable to communicate on your own behalf. Having a POLST form is entirely optional.
2
Reflect on Your Life Goals and Wishes, and Talk with Your Doctor and Loved Ones
How do you want to spend the rest of your life? It’s an important question for all of us, but particularly for the seriously ill or frail, who may want to prioritize important experiences, conversations, and events at this time in their lives.
3
Understand Your POLST Form Decisions
During a medical emergency, do you want to stay at home, or be taken to a hospital? Do you want medical emergency providers to perform CPR or not? These options and a few others are spelled out in your POLST, so that medical providers have clear instructions on your wishes.
4
Manage Your POLST Form
There are a few best practices to follow to ensure that your care plan is followed. This includes keeping a copy of your POLST form with you and telling your family and care partners about your POLST form. You can change or void your POLST form at any time.
Patient Resources
Explore downloadable and printable resources for persons living with serious illness or advanced frailty.
Learn What a POLST Form Is, Who It’s For, and How it Helps
To get started on your POLST journey, learn what POLST is and who it’s designed for.