POLST is a name that stands for a form called “Physician Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment.” The form is also called by alternative names such as MOLST, POST, MOST, etc., depending upon the state in which it is filled out.
For additional information about the POLST, MOLST, POST or MOST form,
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Pending legislation (2013)
Nevada AB 344 requires the State Board of Health to adopt a POLST form, referred to as another type of advance directive.
Articles
“New Form Helps Clarify End-of-Life Decisions for Patients and Families”
(NJ Spotlight — February 25, 2013)
The state is recommending that doctors and nurse practitioners complete this form with all patients who have a life expectancy of fewer than five years….When a POLST is completed, it travels with the patient and will ultimately be part of his or her electronic medical record as providers implement them. It has the force of a medical order, which means all healthcare providers are required to follow its instructions.
New Jersey POLST form
“Bill tackles loophole in law on end-of-life wishes”
(Seattle Times — February 24, 2013)
[L]ast summer, questions arose as to whether workers in those facilities were legally safe in following patients’ wishes as spelled out in the POLST form, said Joyce Stockwell, director of residential care services for the Department of Social and Health Services, in her letter warning adult-family-home providers their workers might not have legal protection.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer plans to reintroduce his controversial advance care planning legislation. His earlier attempt, included in Obamacare, was deleted prior to final passage after being labeled as promotion of “death panels.” Blumenauer is a supporter of Oregon’s assisted-suicide law and has been a featured keynote speaker for the assisted-suicide advocacy group, Compassion & Choices:
“Blumenauer turns again to end-of-life care, after mom’s death”
(Oregonian–February 16, 2013)
“In a bill Blumenauer plans to introduce by spring, Medicare and Medicaid would pay for voluntary consultations between doctors and patients about end-of-life wishes The bill would Provide grants to promote ‘physician orders for life-sustaining treatment’ [POLST]….” Text of draft bill.
“Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatments (MOLST) Forms”
(Delaware Health and Social Services – Department of Health — November 14, 2012)
The State of Delaware division of Public Health, requests that all healthcare providers refrain from further use of the MOLST form. There have been reports of facilities and healthcare providers completing “MOLST” forms on patients whose conditions do not meet the legal parameters for the form’s use in the state.
