Understand Differences Between MOLST, POLST Forms
Question: Our patients sometimes ask our providers about MOLST or POLST forms during an encounter. I’m not sure whether our practice needs one or both forms available on hand. Could you help? Washington Subscriber Answer: MOLST stands for medical order for life-saving treatment, and POLST stands for [portable] physician order for life-saving treatment. Both forms are used to describe a patient’s wishes in the event of needing life-saving or life-extending treatment like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ventilation, artificial hydration or nutrition, dialysis, and transfer to hospital. Theoretically, these forms “follow” a patient and are available for reference by emergency medical technicians and emergency department providers. Some states have preferences on the MOLST versus the POLST form, so check with your respective state to make sure you’re accessing the appropriate form. Washington uses the portable orders for life sustaining treatment (POLST) form, which addresses the aforementioned life-saving or -sustaining treatments, as well as the use of antibiotics. Some states also offer checklists for providers to reference while going over MOLST or POLST forms with their patients. If you’re stocking exam rooms or establishing continuing education materials, don’t forget to make these checklists available as well. Rachel Dorrell, MA, MS, CPC-A, CPPM, Production Editor, AAPC
