POLST

Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment

What is POLST?

POLST is a medical order for people with advanced illness or frailty. If you are someone with serious illness you can complete a POLST form with your health care professional to direct the kinds of treatment you want in a medical crisis. POLST orders give you more control over the treatments you do or do not want to receive in an emergency situation. The form works to guide treatment decisions if you later lose the ability to speak for yourself.

How do I get a POLST?

If you are able to communicate for yourself, you can complete the POLST form with your health care professional. If you are unable to speak for yourself, your representative can complete a POLST form on your behalf. Because the POLST form contains medical orders, it must be signed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

What Happens in an Emergency?

If you have a medical emergency, our trained responders will review your POLST orders, and provide you with the care you want. To ensure that your POLST form is found and known in a time of emergency, your information is entered into the Oregon POLST Registry—unless you choose not to participate and have checked the opt-out box on the form

To learn more about the Oregon POLST program visit www.or.polst.org

Oregon POLST Registry

What is the Oregon POLST Registry?

It is a secure electronic record of your POLST orders. The Registry allows health care professionals treating you to access your POLST orders if the paper copy cannot be found. Information in the Registry is protected and confidential.

How does the Registry work?

Health care professionals can call trained specialists who will relay your POLST orders once they have confirmed your identity.

How do I find out if my POLST is in the Registry?

If we received your address with your POLST form we will send you a confirmation letter, a magnet, and a set of stickers with your Registry ID (example below). Otherwise, call our business office 1-877-367-7657 to check if we have received your form.

For more information on the Oregon POLST Registry visit www.orpolstregistry.org