My Doctor wants me to sign a POLST form. What’s a POLST?

Post by Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, with Draneas & Huglin, P.C.

Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

Clients who visit my office for estate planning assistance frequently bring with them a POLST form that they received from their doctor.  They want to know if they should complete the form.  My answer to their questions will vary, depending on their health circumstances.

The acronym POLST stands for “Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.”  Some form of POLST is available in the majority of states.  The POLST is designed to be used by individuals who suffer from a terminal or life-limiting illness.  The form allows a person to express his or her wishes with regard to receipt of:
1.   Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
2.   Degree of medical intervention; and
3.   Tube feeding.

For example, when a terminally ill person decides not to pursue life-saving treatment or opts for hospice, a brightly colored POLST will be posted in one or more prominent places in the residence (often attached to the front door of the residence and the bedroom door) to alert medical personnel to the fact that the person does not want to be resuscitated and that natural death should be allowed to occur.

To be valid, a POLST form must be signed by the individual’s attending physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner.  The POLST form becomes an official part of the individual’s medical record and may be registered with the Oregon POLST registry
(http://www.ohsu.edu/polst/programs/OregonPOLSTRegistry.htm).   The POLST follows the person wherever he or she receives medical treatment, be it in a healthcare facility, home or hospice center.

A POLST form is fully amendable.  Individuals can change their wishes at any time and are free to request medical treatment different from what is on the POLST form.  Further, individuals can grant a representative the ability to modify or revoke the POLST form in the event the individual becomes incapacitated.

The POLST complements the Advance Directive and is not intended to replace it or other estate planning (will, trust, power of attorney, etc.)  An Advance Directive is necessary to appoint a legal health care representative and provide instructions for future life-sustaining treatments.  The Advance Directive is recommended for all adults, regardless of their health status.  A POLST form should accompany an Advance Directive when appropriate.

For more information about the POLST, an extensive “Frequently Asked Questiions” page is available at http://www.ohsu.edu/polst/patients-families/faqs.htm.

Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, Draneas & Huglin, P>C> 4004 Kruse Way Place, Suite 200,
Lake Oswego, OR, (503) 496-5509, http://stephanie@draneaslaw.com

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