Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

A Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a medical order signed by a clinician that documents end-of-life decisions made collaboratively with the patient. POLST can only be executed after discussions with your healthcare providers; while advance directives, including a living will, can be executed with or without such a discussion. A POLST is designed to be portable, meaning that the order applies regardless of whether you receive care at home, at a nursing facility or at a hospital. POLST is especially well suited to the needs of individuals who have a limited life expectancy (e.g., of one year or less).