Frequently Asked Questions for Patients & Families in Oregon
What is "POLST"?
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a program that uses a bright pink medical order form about your goals of care and end-of-life treatment wishes when you have a serious illness that is in the advanced stages and is not curable. It may also be appropriate for others who have strong personal beliefs about their health care preferences. The form is completed by your physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
Click link below to watch video of Dr. Susan Tolle explaining more about POLST and how it's different from advance directives. Realplayer required.
"What is POLST?" video clip (11.8 MB/56sec)
"What is POLST" video clip (28.2 MB/2.02min)
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Who should have a POLST form?
A POLST form is most appropriate for seriously ill persons with life-limiting, also called terminal, illnesses. Usually, such persons would not be expected to live longer than a year.
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What does POLST mean for me and my family?
The POLST form helps you be cared for the way you want and according to your wishes. This form increases the chances of living out your days with your family at your side. It makes clear what medical care you would or wouldn't want if you become unable to make the decisions yourself. It also requires health care workers (like paramedics and others) to follow your plan.
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Can I complete my own POLST form?
No. Because the POLST form is a medical order it must be completed by a health care professional or social worker.
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Who signs the Oregon POLST form?
The form must be signed by a physician, nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) to be valid.
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How is a POLST form used?
A health care professional or social worker completes the form based on your treatment wishes. Your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant reviews and signs the orders, making them valid immediately. The orders are kept near you at all times, usually on the side (or front) of your refrigerator if you are at home, or in your medical chart if you are in a care facility. The form is then easily found in emergencies.
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Does a POLST form replace the Advance Directive?
The POLST form complements the advance directive and is not intended to replace it. 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 go to: www.oregonhealthdecisions.org or www.caringinfo.org.
See also How Advance Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Compare.
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Is a POLST form required?
No. The use of a POLST form is always voluntary.
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How does a patient get a POLST form?
Speak to your, or the patient’s, primary care professional about obtaining a form and communicating goals of care.
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What if I change my mind about something the POLST form contains?
The POLST orders can be changed by you and your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant at any time.
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Will having a POLST form cause any problems for my family? Does it create misunderstandings with my doctor?
Not at all. In fact, the POLST form helps you, your family, and your health care professional. The form gives you and your family guidance over your medical care. The POLST form shares your treatment wishes with your caregivers and helps keep you comfortable.
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Are there financial or insurance concerns about using a POLST form?
The POLST form has nothing to do with having or not having health insurance.
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What if the person with a POLST form can no longer communicate their wishes for care?
Family members may be able to speak on behalf of a loved one. A health care professional can complete the POLST form based on family members' understanding of their loved one’s wishes.
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Why is the POLST form available only in English?
The POLST form is read by emergency medical personnel, nurses, and doctors who may speak only English. Medical orders that travel with you from one place to another must be written in English to be sure that every health care professional understands clearly what treatments you do and do not want. A Spanish form is available to help explain the orders to Spanish speaking persons, but the only form that is valid is in English.
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Why is the POLST form bright pink?
The POLST form is pink so that it is easily recognizable to emergency medical personnel and other health care professionals.
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What might happen to me if I do not have a POLST form?
Without a POLST form, emergency medical personnel, nurses and doctors would not know your treatment wishes. You most likely would receive all possible treatments, whether you want them or not, even if they are unlikely to achieve the result you would hope for and even if these treatments cause pain or complications. Thinking through treatment options with your family and doctor before a problem occurs can guide and provide the kind of care you want during difficult times.
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What is the "best possible care" at the end of one's life?
The best possible care is different for each person, and depends on personal beliefs, values and loved ones. For most people, having a health care team the patient and family know and trust is important when difficult decisions need to be made. Sometimes the right decision is being with family at home or staying in a care facility with caregivers who know you and your needs. Some people with a terminal illness want all possible treatments, even if that means they must be in the hospital, perhaps getting intensive care with some treatments that may cause discomfort. Others prefer saying no to some treatments, if that means being comfortable and being able to stay with those they love most. back to top
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