Physician's Orders

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) helps give seriously ill patients more control over their treatment toward the end of their lives.

You can do control your quality of life by specifying the types of medical treatment you wish to receive. After conferring with your doctor, he will note your decisions on a distinctive pink form that is signed by both you and your physician,  or your representative. Physician's Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment can prevent unwanted or medically ineffective treatment, reduce patient/family suffering, and help ensure your wishes are honored.

Physician's orders do not replace an Advance Health Care Directive, which allows you to appoint the person you want to speak on your behalf; rather, it complements it. It  also travels with you from one setting to another, across the continuum of care.

Physician's Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment provides clarity about your wishes for physicians, nurses, emergency responders, and other health care providers and is recommended for all seriously ill patients.