POLST in Washington: What’s new and snapshot review
POLST is a set of medical orders that communicate patient wishes for end-of-life care to health care personnel, especially those working in the community/outpatient settings.
This story appears in the Spring-Summer 2022 print issue of The Washington Nurse.
By Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN, Director of Nursing Practice
What’s new?
In April 2021, POLST was renamed to Portable Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment.
POLST is a set of medical orders that communicate patient wishes for end-of-life care to health care personnel, especially those working in the community/outpatient settings. These orders will be transcribed into the medical record in the hospital/inpatient settings.
Snapshot review
- WHO - POLST is intended for use by individuals of any age who are seriously ill or in poor health.
- WHAT - Medical orders (planned in advance with the provider) that address a life-threatening or emergency health event. Medical care preferences are captured on a bright green form.
- HOW - The individual speaks to the health care provider to make decisions about life-sustaining treatments. The health care provider uses the POLST form to document the individual’s wishes as a medical order, which describes care provisions during an emergency.
- WHERE - The POLST form stays with the individual. At home, the form is placed in a visible location. In the hospital or nursing home/assisted living setting, the form is kept with the individual.
- CHANGES - POLST is a voluntary document. Individuals may change treatment preferences on the POLST form in collaboration with the provider as needed.
References
- Portable Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) - Washington Department of Health
- Washington POLST (2021) - Washington State Medical Association