Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment form (usually on bright green paper) is a list of medical orders, signed by your medical practitioner, stating what medical interventions you do, or do not, want for end of life care, if you are not able to speak for yourself.
Advanced Directives and Medical Power of Attorney statements are more general. If you have these, please bring in a copy and discuss it with your doctor. If you have named a Medical Power of Attorney, that person is supposed to authorize for you what you would have wanted if you were able to speak for yourself. Therefore, it is important that you tell that person directly what you would want.
Advanced directives, medical power of attorney and POLST forms only take effect when you are not able to speak for yourself. You are entitled to change your mind at any time, regardless of what you have written in the past.
In the absence of any instructions, in a crisis, or when in doubt, we will do everything we can to protect your life.
