POLST is a process that helps patients to receive the medical treatment they want, and avoid the medical treatments they do not want, when they are seriously ill or frail.

The bright pink POLST form consists of medical orders that are based on a patient's medical condition and his/her treatment choices as established in a conversation between the patient or a legal medical decision-maker and a health care professional. The form travels with the patient across all care settings and helps doctors, nurses, healthcare facilities and emergency personnel honor patient wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments in emergency situations.

For Healthcare Professionals

POLST is a process that enables health care providers to facilitate good patient care. POLST provides a structure for conversations about end of life issues and patient preferences for treatment as the end of life nears. A completed POLST form turns those preferences into medical orders that follow patients across care settings.