Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

California Probate Code Section 4780 et seq authorized Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms to be approved by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.

According to FinalChoices.org: “POLST is a physician order that helps give seriously ill patients more control over their end-oflife care. Produced on a distinctive bright pink form and signed by both the doctor and patient, POLST specifies the types of medical treatment that a patient wishes to receive towards the end of life. As a result, POLST can prevent unwanted or medically ineffective treatment, reduce patient and family suffering, and help ensure that patients’ wishes are honored.”

The POLST form includes direction regard resuscitation directions (DNR) as well as: 1) administration of antibiotics and fluids, 2) use of a ventilator and 3) artificial nutrition by tube.

You can download a free copy of the POLST form HERE.  The form should be completed by a health care professional. The form is similar to a living will (Advanced Health Care Directive) but it is not the same.