Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
Governor Christie signed legislation in 2011 that enabled patients to indicate their preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment through the Practitioner Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. This form, signed by a patient's attending physician or advanced practice nurse, provides instructions for health care personnel to follow for a range of life-prolonging interventions. This form becomes part of a patient's medical records, following the patient from one healthcare setting to another, including hospital, nursing home or hospice.
Pursuant to P.L. 2011, c. 145, the Institute for Quality & Patient Safety Organization was designated as the Lead Agency for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act.
- The Promise of POLST: Taking Charge of Your Healthcare Treatment at the End of Life
- POLST RESOURCES for Patients and Family Members, Healthcare Providers, Forms, and Webinars
- Frequently Asked Questions - Providers [pdf 350k]
- View the new POLST form [English pdf 46k, Español pdf 70k]
source http://www.nj.gov/health/advancedirective/polst/
