POLST

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POLST end of life form
POLST end of life form

Susan Tolle, M.D. with her patient, Ricella Sincock, back in 2014, discussing her health and reviewing her POLST form. (OHSU/Corky Miller)

POLST consultation
POLST consultation

Erik Fromme, M.D., with a patient, reviewing a POLST form.

(OHSU)

Susan Tolle
Susan Tolle

Susan Tolle, M.D., Professor of Medicine
Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics.
(OHSU)

VIDEO: Expanding timely access to end-of-life treatment planning
VIDEO: Expanding timely access to end-of-life treatment planning

Expanding timely access to end-of-life treatment planning: OHSU’s Sophia Davis and Susan Tolle, M.D., discuss results of POLST study published in the Journal of Palliative Care

Sample POLST Form (PDF)
Sample POLST Form (PDF)

A Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. 

Sophia Hayes
Sophia Hayes

Sophia Hayes, a third-year student in the OHSU School of Medicine, led a study finding nearly 25,000, or about 11 percent, of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms submitted between 2010 and 2015 in Oregon were completed by an advanced practice registered nurse. 

(OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Sophia Hayes
Sophia Hayes

Sophia Hayes, a third-year student in the OHSU School of Medicine, led a study finding nearly 25,000, or about 11 percent, of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms submitted between 2010 and 2015 in Oregon were completed by an advanced practice registered nurse. 

(OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

POLST Form
POLST Form

A Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. 

(OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Electronic POLST
Electronic POLST

Betty Lou Hutchens (left) talks with Dr. Susan Tolle, her physician. Hutchens, 95, has a completed POLST form at OHSU that outlines her wishes for end-of-life care. (OHSU)

Electronic POLST
Electronic POLST

“I think it’s very important to be able to find the POLST form,” says Betty Lou Hutchens, 95. “After all, what good is it if you can’t find it.” Hutchens has a POLST form at OHSU that outlines her wishes for end-of-life care. (OHSU)

Electronic POLST
Electronic POLST

The IT team at OHSU that collaborated with Dr. Tolle to digitize the POLST registry (Left to right, front row) David Sibell, M.D, Susan Tolle, M.D., Kenneth Gridley. (Back row) Kennedy Payne, Michael Lieberman, M.D., Bud Harrison. (OHSU)

Electronic POLST
Electronic POLST

Paper versions of the POLST form (left) could be difficult to read. The electronic version (right) ensures that information is clearly visible and the records can be searched easily. (OHSU)

Electronic POLST
Electronic POLST

Paper versions of the POLST form (left) could be difficult to read. The electronic version (right) ensures that information is clearly visible and the records can be searched easily. 
 (OHSU)

VIDEO: Dr. Susan Tolle shares findings about end-of-life care
VIDEO: Dr. Susan Tolle shares findings about end-of-life care

Dr. Susan Tolle talks about the New England Journal of Medicine findings about end-of-life care.

Hands on POLST Form
Hands on POLST Form

A copy of the new Oregon Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST, form, which was updated in 2019. (OHSU/Corky Miller)

Katie signing Polst
Katie signing Polst

(Left to right) Katie Stowers, D.O., signs a Physicians Order of Life-Sustaining Treatment form completed by Melanie Birnbach of Portland. (OHSU/Corky Miller)

Pat and Jimmy Duty
Pat and Jimmy Duty

Oregon residents Pat and Jimmy Duty used the POLST Program to help ensure Jimmy's end-of-life wishes after he became ill in 2013. (Family photo)

Pat and Jimmy Duty
Pat and Jimmy Duty

Oregon residents, Pat and Jimmy Duty, used the POLST Program to help ensure Jimmy's end-of-life wishes after he became ill in 2013. (Family photo)