POLST: PLANNING FOR LIFE ENDINGS

Course overview

The Patient Self-Determination Act promised more patient involvement in end-of-life treatment decisions. Unfortunately, studies have shown that current forms of advance directives haven¿t resulted in healthcare providers¿ complying with patients¿ end-of-life choices. To address this problem, the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) model and form are now used or being developed throughout the U.S. Designed to complement an advance directive, POLST documents medical orders based on a patient¿s current health status regarding CPR, medical interventions and artificially administered nutrition. The POLST form accompanies a patient across all healthcare settings. Ideally, the process reflects thoughtful advance care planning conversations between patients and healthcare providers. Research is now demonstrating that the POLST model and form help patients achieve end-of-life treatment preferences.