Develop Polst forms in Illinois

What is a Polst form?

The form of life processing commands (POST) is a portable form of the prior directive type used in many states in the United States. More than a year ago, it was made legal for use in Illinois.

The form allows patients with their doctor’s contributions to put their end -of -life decisions in medical orders on a form. This form can be used in all care places such as the house, the nursing home, the ambulance or the hospital.

What type of end-of-life decisions can take a polst form?

• Patients can decide the type of care they want if their hearts stop beating.
• They can decide the type of care they want if they stop breathing.
• They can decide to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (RCR).
• They can decide if they want intubation and mechanical ventilation.
• They can also decide not to resuscitate. This is often called an order to be unusual, or DNR.
• If they decide to be DNR, they can decide what type of care they want Before Their heart ceases to beat.

What kind of care might want before their heart stops beating?

They might want Comfort measurements only like drugs and oxygen to manage painful symptoms, Limited additional interventions like antibiotics, IV liquids and heart surveillance, or complete treatment like intubation and mechanical ventilation.

If a POLST form is completed, is there still a need for advanced care planning (ACP) and the completion of health care proxy (POA-HC)?

Yes! A completed POLST form does not replace ACP and / or fills in a POA-HC form. These actions allow the patient to appoint an agent to speak for them if he cannot speak for themselves and to describe in more detail the care he wants at the end of life.

So, if the patient has a PO-HC document, what is the advantage of having a Polst document also?

Having a POLST document is beneficial because in an emergency situation where the patient cannot speak for themselves, their decisions concerning the life suspension treatment can be aged immediately without having to locate the agent he has appointed.

Who should fill out the Polst form?

Only some people need a Polst form, including …

• Patients who are at the end of a living disease.
• Fragile elderly people.
• Patients who think a doctor may not live more than a year.

Are there any changes to come in Polst form in Illinois?

Yes, there is a modification of the original law: Polst which is currently awaiting the signature of the governor. The changes offered in the amendment include the following elements. The acronym MRN at the edge of the current form will be deleted.

The new form will provide additional care options such as IV solutions, food tubes and pain medicines. In addition, the new POLST will authorize the nurse in an early practice of a patient, the doctor assistant or the main medical resident to sign the order form in addition to the patient’s doctor.

How can I get a Polst form?

If you think you or a family member should consider filling out a Polst form, please discuss it with your doctor. For more information on the Illinois Polst form, call OSF support care (309) 624-6002.

Last update: August 8, 2017