Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
As we get older most of us have taken the time to have a will, and probably a community property agreement if we are married.
The next steps to take are to have an advance directive and a medical durable power of attorney.
The advance directive is a set of guidelines that state your preferences in various medical circumstances, from whether you want to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the case of cardiac arrest to whether you want artificial feedings or IV fluids to sustain life.
Many states have a recognized form usually referred to as a POLST form, standing for Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.
In Washington, the state I practice in, this is a lime green form which you and your physician complete to give clear directives to paramedics, hospitals, or anyone else who may be in a position to need to know your wishes for this type of treatment.
Only about 8 states have formal POSLT forms that are recognized, and many other states have a form in development.
There is no reason not to have a POLST form completed at your next physician visit.
In addition to a POLST form, or other type of advance directive, it is important to have someone whom you have designated as having your durable power of attorney for medical matters.
This gives one individual the legal power to make medical decisions for you in the case that you are not capable of making your own medical decisions.
Examples of when this might be needed are an accident where you have a head injury and are unconscious, when you are under anesthesia for a surgery and a decision needs to be made, or at the end of life when you are in a state where you cannot make your own decisions.
This combination of having a medical power of attorney and an advance directive is the medical equivalent of having a will and someone assigned as the executor of your estate.
Planning in advance can prevent much duress for your friends and family, and assure that your wishes are carried out without controversy or undue stress.
The next steps to take are to have an advance directive and a medical durable power of attorney.
The advance directive is a set of guidelines that state your preferences in various medical circumstances, from whether you want to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the case of cardiac arrest to whether you want artificial feedings or IV fluids to sustain life.
Many states have a recognized form usually referred to as a POLST form, standing for Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.
In Washington, the state I practice in, this is a lime green form which you and your physician complete to give clear directives to paramedics, hospitals, or anyone else who may be in a position to need to know your wishes for this type of treatment.
Only about 8 states have formal POSLT forms that are recognized, and many other states have a form in development.
There is no reason not to have a POLST form completed at your next physician visit.
In addition to a POLST form, or other type of advance directive, it is important to have someone whom you have designated as having your durable power of attorney for medical matters.
This gives one individual the legal power to make medical decisions for you in the case that you are not capable of making your own medical decisions.
Examples of when this might be needed are an accident where you have a head injury and are unconscious, when you are under anesthesia for a surgery and a decision needs to be made, or at the end of life when you are in a state where you cannot make your own decisions.
This combination of having a medical power of attorney and an advance directive is the medical equivalent of having a will and someone assigned as the executor of your estate.
Planning in advance can prevent much duress for your friends and family, and assure that your wishes are carried out without controversy or undue stress.
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