POLST
POLST is an acronym that stands for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. It is a medical order that gives patients more control over their care by specifying the types of medical treatment they want to receive during a serious illness.
The benefits of having a POLST:
- encourages communication between healthcare providers and patients
- enables patients to make more informed decisions
- clearly communicates these decisions to healthcare providers
As a result, a POLST can:
- prevent unwanted or medically ineffective treatment
- reduce patient and family suffering
- help ensure that patient wishes are honored
Use of the form began in California in 2008 and became part of state law on January 1, 2009.
Upcoming POLST workshops
Advance Care Planning is brought to the OC community in collaboration among Orange County Advance Care Planning Partners, Orange County Aging Services Collaborative and Alzheimer’s Orange County (ALZOC).
