Arizona POLST is part of National POLST that helps patients get the medical treatments they want, and avoid medical treatments they do not want, when they are seriously ill or frail. It’s about helping people live the way they want until they die.
POLST encourages patients and their healthcare professionals to talk about what patients want at the end-of-life. The conversation should include:
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Patient's diagnosis. What disease(s) or medical conditions does the patient have?
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Patient's prognosis. What is the likely course of the disease or condition? What will happen to the patient over time?
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Treatment options. What treatments are available to the patient? How do they help? What are the side effects?
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Goals of care. What is important to the patient? What makes a good quality of life?
After talking, the patient and his/her healthcare provider may be able to make informed shared decisions about what treatments the patient wants, or does not want, and document them on a POLST form. This form is a portable medical order that can follow the patient and help healthcare providers understand the patients’ goals whenever or wherever the patient has a medical emergency and can’t speak for himself/herself.
It is different from an advance directive. Even with an advance directive, if the patient has a medical emergency, emergency personnel will do everything possible to attempt to save the patient's life, including CPR and putting the patient on a breathing machine. They are required by law to do so.
Patients who are seriously ill or frail may not want that level of treatment. The POLST form is a way for the patient to say "Yes, I want CPR and full treatment" or "No, I want to stay where I am and be made comfortable," or something in the middle. The POLST form can be changed or voided at any time. It is up to the patient what they want their POLST form to say.
We invite you to learn more about POLST.
Advance Care Planning, Advance Directives and POLST
Patient & Family Resources
Healthcare Provider Resources
Arizona POLST is committed to promoting equality and improving the health and well-being of all persons living with serious illness or advanced frailty, their friends and loved ones, and the healthcare professionals caring for them, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, geography, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age or socioeconomic status.
We will:
- Promote racial equality in all interactions.
- Urge every person to delve into education and advocacy to help us each better identify, understand, and correct the perpetuation of discrimination.
- Place conscious effort into recruiting into our workforce, committees, and other roles a diverse population reflective of those we serve.