For Healthcare Professionals
In this section you will find information and resources for Healthcare Professionals:
POLST (Portable Medical Orders)
A POLST (Portable Medical Order) form is a provider signed form which communicates and implements patient preferences for end-of-life treatment and is transferable across treatment settings. It is intended that the form be completed only after advance care planning discussions between a patient and their physician or trained POLST Advance Care Planning Facilitator (ACPF). It is appropriate to complete a POLST form with people who are either terminally ill or are seriously ill with chronic, progressive disease.
For more information on how to have POLST Advance Care Planning conversations with your patients, complete and obtain the Virginia POLST form and see a sample Virginia POLST form:
National POLST Form Guidance Document
National POLST Intended population guide
Virginia has a uniform POLST form that is recognized by the Virginia Department of Health and endorsed by the Medical Society of Virginia. Part A of the Virginia POLST form is considered a Durable DNR order by the Code of Virginia (12 VC5-66-10).
Resources
NHPCO’s Palliative vs. Hospice Care Document
Code of Virginia § 54.1-2986 - Virginia Surrogate Decision Making Hierarchy
Procedure in absence of an advance directive; procedure for advance directive without agent; no presumption; persons who may authorize health care for patients incapable of informed decisions.
Links
Videos and Podcasts
TED Talk Dr. Aditi Sethi-Brown
Dr. Diane Meier, Defining Palliative Care
The End of Life Care Debate – Dr. Atul Gawande
Other Helpful Links
Share This Page