A POLST form is a medical order signed by a doctor. It tells health care providers exactly which treatments to give or skip during a crisis. A living will is a broader planning paper where you write down your wishes for end-of-life care. Both serve different roles. Most people benefit from having both.
What POLST Stands For
POLST stands for Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. It is a bright-colored form that a doctor signs after talking with a patient about their health and treatment goals. Because it is a doctor's order, emergency crews and hospital staff must follow it right away.
A living will is not a medical order. It is a legal paper that guides your chosen person when you cannot speak for yourself. The two serve very different purposes.
How a POLST Differs from an Advance Directive
A living will goes into effect only when you are terminally ill or in a lasting state where you cannot wake up or speak. It covers broader topics about life support, comfort care, and quality of life. A POLST is active right now. It travels with you in your medical records. It applies in any medical crisis, whether at home, in an assisted living center, or at the hospital.
Here is the key difference. A POLST gives specific orders about CPR, breathing machines, feeding tubes, and other treatments. A living will states general wishes. Think of the POLST as the exact prescription. The living will is the overall treatment outlook.
Who Should Have a POLST?
A POLST is most useful for people with serious, life-limiting health problems or advanced frailty. It is not meant for healthy adults. People who should consider a POLST include those with:
- A terminal diagnosis
- Advanced heart or lung disease
- Late-stage dementia
- Advanced frailty or repeated hospital stays
Healthy adults should focus on a living will and a health care power of attorney as part of their advance care planning. A POLST can be added later if health changes.
Does Arizona Recognize POLST Forms?
Yes. Arizona recognizes the POLST form as a valid medical order. The form must be signed by both the patient (or their chosen decision maker) and a licensed doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Once signed, it becomes part of the patient's medical records. Keep it where emergency crews can find it fast. Many people post it on their fridge or keep it near the front door.
Using Both Documents Together
The strongest approach uses both a POLST and a living will, along with a health care power of attorney. The living will covers your broader wishes about quality of life and medical treatment. The POLST gives doctors and paramedics specific, clear orders. The health care power of attorney names a trusted person to make medical choices when you cannot.
For more on how these papers fit into a full estate plan, read what happens when there is no plan in place. Getting these papers done now means no confusion later. Clean and simple.