New end-of-life measure quietly sweeps the nation

June 24, 2013

A “physician order for life-sustaining treatment” (POLST) is a medical order, signed by a doctor or other authorized medical provider. The product of a conversation between patient and provider, a POLST specifies a patient’s goals and desires as death closes in. Unlike a traditional DNR, it covers such medical interventions as resuscitation, hospitalization, use of antibiotics, hydration, intubation and mechanical breathing ventilation. (Huffington Post)