Advance Care Planning Month

Have you heard about North Dakota POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)?

What is it?

• Nationally recognized portable medical order that translates the patient’s wishes into a treatment plan
• It’s Not for everyone
• Not the same as the advance directive
• Not the same as the living will
• This allows Emergency Medical Services to follow the directives of ND POLST
• Helps to transition Code Status numbers (such as Code 1, Code 2) to nationally recognized terms ( Attempt CPR, Do Not Attempt Resuscitation/Allow Natural Death)
• DNR does not mean do not treat. POLST allows patients to have any level of treatment they want, as outlined on the POLST form

Why should you know about POLST?

• Stimulates early conversations about life-sustaining treatment and code status
• Not just a checklist order form
• More inclusive than just a code status
• Reflects shared decision
• Ensures seamless transfers across settings that improve continuity of care
• North Dakota’s POLST program and form have been nationally endorsed
• North Dakota has a statewide POLST workgroup
• Working towards one medical order form that everyone knows and uses statewide

DON’T FORGET APRIL IS Advance Care Planning Month: NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY- APRIL 16TH.

Visit the website: Honoring Choices® North Dakota/POLST

https://www.honoringchoicesnd.org/polst/

For more information or to schedule a live webinar in-service, contact: Nancy Joyner, Program Coordinator, Nancy.joyner@honoringchoicesnd.org  or 218-779-5037