Program Recognition

• Quarterly regional conference calls to update states near you about your program’s progress as well as to hear other program updates;
• Invitation to attend National POLST Leadership Conferences;
• Information on upcoming webinars or other education sessions of interest to POLST Paradigm Programs;
• Notices of grant funding available through the POLST Paradigm;
• Information about national legislation or media of interest to POLST Paradigm Programs;
• Ability to receive guidance for implementing quality POLST Paradigm Programs through the National POLST Paradigm Developing State Assistance Committee
• Opportunity to participate in shared resources (such as the online forum);
• Invitation to participate on other National POLST Paradigm Committees;
• Contact information listed on the POLST Paradigm website so people in your state can easily locate your program; and
• (for endorsed programs only) permission to use the POLST Paradigm trademarks.

When state coalitions are exploring the development of a POLST Paradigm Program they should contact the National POLST Paradigm Office to see how to begin the process.  Programs will be recognized by the National POLST Paradigm as “developing” when they have both: (1) submitted the Application for Developing POLST Paradigm Program Status and (2) presented their state’s POLST form and POLST Paradigm Program to the NPPTF Developing State Assistance Committee.

Developing POLST Programs may be at various stages of development, ranging from the initial design to active usage of a POLST form and ranging from a small pilot program to a statewide roll out. The expectation is that all developing POLST Paradigm Programs are working towards their goal of implementing the POLST Paradigm Program statewide in keeping with the POLST Paradigm tenets. In general, programs at this step are starting to contemplate addressing all Seven Core Elements of Sustainability.

The National POLST Paradigm endorses POLST Programs when they have developed and implemented a POLST Paradigm Program and POLST form meeting the National POLST Paradigm standards. Endorsed programs are POLST Paradigm Programs that have become standard components of advance care planning in their location and are moving toward statewide implementation (if not already there). These programs have addressed legal and regulatory issues associated with POLST forms and processes, and have developed strategies for ongoing implementation and quality assurance.

A program with Developing Status seeking to become an Endorsed POLST Program must submit the Application for Endorsed POLST Paradigm Program Status, have received a recommendation for endorsement by the National POLST Paradigm Developing State Assistance and Consultation Committees, and be approved by the National POLST Paradigm.

Mature status is the highest level of endorsement by the National POLST Paradigm and is reserved solely for states with POLST Paradigm Programs that are the standard preferred method of advance care planning for persons with serious illness or frailty throughout the state. Mature POLST Paradigm Programs are used by 50% or more of hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices in each region (as defined by established criteria such as EMS, Department of Health, or the Dartmouth Atlas) of the state. These programs are actively gathering data for quality assurance programs, have financial stability, and have considered centralized POLST Paradigm databases.

An Endorsed Program seeking to be recognized as a Mature POLST Paradigm Program must complete the Application for Mature POLST Program Paradigm Status, have received a recommendation for Mature Status from the National POLST Paradigm Consultation Committee, and be approved by the National POLST Paradigm.