POLST
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is designed to help patients facing serious illness. The POLST program helps providers to better serve you. It makes sure your wishes for end-of-life care are documented.
The goals of POLST:
- Spark discussion with your doctor and family about your wishes.
- Make your own decisions about your care.
- Ensure your wishes are honored.
The POLST form is brightly colored to stand out in a medical file. It typically follows you wherever you go.
Talk with your doctor
Be open about your goals of care, quality of life and treatment options. Gain peace of mind knowing that you will only get the treatments you want.
Call your doctor to learn more about these resources.
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Helpful resources
The National POLST Program
POLST documents and honors patient medical treatment wishes via portable medical orders.
Advance care planning
OptumCare offers advance care planning to help you plan for your future care.