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Article
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Form: Honoring End-of-Life Directives for Nursing Home Residents
Social Work
  • J. A. Meyers
  • Crystal Dea Moore, Skidmore College
  • A. McGrory
  • J. Sparr
  • M. Ahern
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2004
Published In
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Pages
37-46
Abstract

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form provides choices about end-of-life care and gives these choices the power of physician orders. The POLST form assures end-of-life choices can be implemented in all settings, from the home through the health-care continuum. The use of the POLST form was evaluated in a pilot study in nursing homes in two eastern Washington counties. Chart reviews and template analysis of interviews revealed the POLST form accurately conveyed end-of-life wishes in 19 of 21 cases. An informed consent process was evidenced in 16 of 21 cases, and the POLST form was congruent with residents' existing advance directives for health care. The findings support the continued use, development, and evaluation of this promising tool for improving end-of-life care.

Disciplines
Citation Information
J. A. Meyers, Crystal Dea Moore, A. McGrory, J. Sparr, et al.. "Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Form: Honoring End-of-Life Directives for Nursing Home Residents" Vol. 30 Iss. 9 (2004)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/crystal-moore/23/