Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a medical order form that outlines a patient’s preferences for treatments like resuscitation, intubation, and other life-sustaining interventions. It is designed for seriously ill or aging individuals to ensure their wishes are honored across healthcare settings. The form is completed by a healthcare professional in consultation with the patient and their family, providing clear, actionable instructions that can be followed by emergency responders and medical staff to respect the patient’s autonomy and quality-of-life choices.