What does the POLST form assure patients regarding their care?

The POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form is specifically designed to communicate a patient's preferences regarding their medical treatment, particularly in emergency situations. When a patient completes a POLST form, it ensures that their healthcare providers are aware of and respect their wishes about the care they desire or do not desire.

The POLST form allows patients to express their preferences for various levels of treatment, including resuscitation efforts, mechanical ventilation, and other interventions. This means that patients will only receive the care they wish to receive, aligning their medical treatment with their personal values and desires. By doing so, the POLST form empowers patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare and ensures that those decisions are honored by the medical team, even in critical situations where they may be unable to communicate those wishes verbally.

Thus, the form acts as a vital tool for ensuring patient autonomy and aligning medical interventions with the individual's preferences.