Variations by State and Terminology:
Although the concept remains consistent, different regions and states use various names for these forms. For example, the same type of document may be called POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment), or LaPOST (Louisiana Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment). Each version serves the same essential purpose—ensuring that patients’ treatment preferences are clearly documented and respected throughout the healthcare continuum.
Relationship to Advance Directives:
Unlike a traditional advance directive—which typically outlines a person’s healthcare wishes but may not be immediately actionable—POST forms are designed to ensure that a patient’s specific goals and limits for treatment (such as the use of life-sustaining measures, resuscitation attempts, or artificial nutrition) are clearly documented and easily accessible. In this way, POST forms complement advance directives by turning broad healthcare preferences into explicit, clinically relevant orders.
Value Across Care Settings:
POST forms are portable and follow patients across various care environments, guiding healthcare providers—such as emergency medical personnel, hospital staff, and long-term care professionals—during urgent situations. They help ensure that the patient’s wishes are honored consistently, regardless of the care setting.
