(Health care professionals: see National POLST Form for professionals.)
There is a National POLST Form but most states still use their own state version of POLST. Check this map to see what your states does. Your state form is likely very similar to the National POLST Form.
You may view the guide (above) or videos (below) to learn more about the decisions in each of the sections of the POLST form. Hopefully this information will help you understand some of the important concepts. Your health care provider should have a talk with you about what treatments may be appropriate for you before completing your POLST form (see Advance Care Planning).
Section A: Yes CPR or No CPR
In an emergency, the provider will first check to see if you have a pulse or are breathing. If you aren’t, the most critical question is whether you want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Having a POLST Form that says No CPR in Section A means it is a do not resuscitate, or DNR, order.
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Section B: Initial Treatment Orders
If you have a pulse or are breathing, the next most important question is Do you want to go to the hospital? and, if yes, What treatments do you want there? Section B on most POLST forms provides this information.
The chart below details what the different Section B options mean. This video explains more about what happens in the ICU.
Chart: Options for Initial Treatment Orders
Devices Found
in the ICU
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Section D: Medically Assisted Nutrition
Although it isn’t critical for emergency care, it is very helpful for health care providers to know your wishes about feeding tubes, called medically assisted nutrition. Some feeding tubes require a surgery to place them, usually if you are going to be on a feeding tube for longer than two weeks.
This video explains why someone might or might not want to have a feeding tube.
Feeding Tubes
Watch video from Naveon
Copyright ©2020 Care+ Ventures LLC. Video may not be duplicated or used in any format without the expressed written consent of Care+ Ventures, LLC.
Next Steps
Review What to Know Before Talking About POLST (PDF) and talk to your health care provider if you think you want a POLST form. If you already have a POLST form, see Your POLST to learn how to interpret what it means. Finally, you may want to look at additional patient resources.