POLST

Legally recognized in California in 2009, POLST is a standardized physician order specifying the types of medical treatment a patient wishes to receive towards the end of life.  

The bright pink form is signed by both the physician and the patient, or the patient’s decision maker, and encourages communication between health care providers and patients.  

POLST allows patients to make more informed decisions and clearly communicate these decisions to providers, thus preventing unwanted treatment, reducing patient and family suffering and ensuring that patients’ wishes are honored.

POLST travels with a patient, ensuring that the orders are met as they move from one residential or medical setting to another.

Although they are similar, POLST does not replace and Advance Health Care Directive, but should be considered as a supplement to an Advance Directive for seriously ill patients.

For more information, visit http://www.ohsu.edu/polst/.

To order POLST forms please contact VCMA at (805) 484-6822.