The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Paradigm Program is designed to improve the quality of care people receive at the end-of-life by turning patient goals and preferences into medical orders. The program:
- Helps healthcare professionals discuss and develop treatments plans that reflect patient wishes
- Assists physicians, nurses, healthcare facilities and emergency personnel in honoring patients’ wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments in emergency situations.
The physician orders are based on a patient’s medical condition and his/her treatment choices. Those choices are established in a conversation between the patient, or the legal medical decision-maker, and a healthcare professional. Use of the form is voluntary.
The POLST form is NOT an advance directive. It’s merely a form that represents and summarizes a patient’s wishes in the form of medical orders.
The procedures for the POLST Program vary by state. Click here to learn more about the current state of the POLST in your community.
Pennsylvania recently enacted the POLST Program. In its version, POLST stands for “Pennsylvania—Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.” There are specific instructions you must follow when using the form. To help, we have included the following downloadable forms:
- POLST Frequently Asked Questions
- Pennsylvania—Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment Form with Introduction and Instructions
Click Here for more information and resources about Pennsylvania's version of POLST. You can also contact the PA POLST Coordinator at