POLST

Welcome to the POLST Illinois website. POLST is a state approved form that allows people with a serious illness to receive the medical treatments they want and avoid the ones they don’t want in a medical emergency. POLST Illinois is a committee of diverse health professionals that educates Illinoisans and healthcare providers about the POLST process and supports patient-centered decisions about care.

NEW - a self-guided video presentation of "The POLST Model for EMS & First Responders." Please find a link to this valuable resource and other educational tools below.

A self-guided video presentation of "The POLST Model for Healthcare Professionals." Please find a link to this valuable resource and other educational tools below.

EDUCATION ABOUT CHANGES TO THE POLST PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE!

You may be aware that legislation impacting the POLST form and guidance for using POLST in our state went into effect on 1/1/22. Public Act 102-0140 contains several changes that you will want to know about. We encourage you to take the time to look through the documents below for detailed information on the changes.

  • Quick Facts: This document can be used as a short guide for all healthcare providers. We encourage you to use this information for in-service trainings, staff meetings, etc.
  • Frequently Asked Questions for Healthcare Providers: The FAQ document can be used as a reference when healthcare providers have specific questions regarding the changes to the POLST program.
  • PDF Presentation: This PowerPoint can be used to give a detailed explanation of the POLST program changes for all healthcare providers. We encourage you to use this information as a compliment to the Quick Facts document for in-service trainings, staff meetings, etc.

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IL Health & Hospital Association Webinar - POLST: A Reboot for 2022

IHA has kindly provided access to an Illinois Health and Hospital Association webinar on POLST, given on Friday, April 15, 2022. Please use the recording password: 8MpyupR3 to access the presentation.

Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Ensuring that seriously ill people receive the treatments they want and avoid the treatments they do not want near the end of life.
The POLST decision-making process and resulting medical orders are intended for people of any age who are at risk for a life-threatening clinical event because they have a serious life-limiting medical condition, which may include advanced frailty.

POLST IL COMMITTEE

Supporting the professionals and organizations that provide high quality healthcare to people facing serious illness

POLST MODEL

Assuring that every patient’s treatment wishes are honored in all healthcare settings

RESOURCES FOR PROVIDERS

Helping healthcare professionals honor their patients end-of-life wishes with educational materials for ACP & POLST

INFO FOR INDIVIDUALS & CAREGIVERS

Educating Illinois citizens about the POLST Model and how it benefits people approaching the end of life

Pediatric Advance Care Planning & POLST

Educating healthcare professionals and parents of seriously ill children about the need to prepare for the future while hoping for the best possible outcome.

Case Study Corner

Baby Emma is 8 months old. She has a diagnosis of SMA Tyle 1, a severe neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and respiratory failure. SMA Tyle 1 is known to significantly shorten life expectancy. Emma has been under specialized care since her diagnosis, receiving supportive treatments including respiratory support and nutritional management through a feeding tube. Emma is now admitted to the children’s hospital with respiratory failure. She is being supported with non-invasive mechanical ventilation. How can members of the hospital staff support Emma's parents as they consider completing a POLST form AND educate them about how to use it should a medical emergency arise when she returns home?

Mary has been living with Alzheimer’s dementia for the past seven years. She lives at home with her husband Greg who cares for her. Her condition has progressively worsened, leading to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). She is currently able to eat and drink with careful hand feeding. Her most recent evaluation revealed a FAST 6D. Mary's family has been actively involved in her care and decision-making process. Mary can no longer make her own medical decisions, as the progression of her dementia has led to an impaired decisionmaking capacity. Mary’s husband Greg is her healthcare power of attorney agent. Greg and his children are deeply committed to ensuring that Mary’s wishes and quality of life are respected.

Josephine is an 89-year-old woman who resides at an assisted living facility where she is receiving hospice care due to advanced illness. One evening, Josephine becomes confused and falls while trying to get out of bed. The assisted living facility calls the paramedics for assistance. Upon arrival, paramedics find Josephine alert but confused, in no apparent distress, yet hypotensive and mildly hypoxic. They administer 2L of oxygen and a fluid bolus. The facility staff inform EMS that Josephine is receiving hospice care, and the hospice team advised Josephine to return to bed. The paramedics review Josephine’s POLST form. This documentation was completed 4 years prior. It indicates Josephine’s wishes are for SECTION A: NO CPR and SECTION B: Selective Care: Primary goal is treating medical conditions with limited medical measures (including transfer to the hospital if indicated).

Download the POLST Form

The POLST form is available in English and several other languages. To ensure emergency personnel can understand and follow the orders, it is recommended that the POLST form be documented, signed and displayed in English. The non-English versions of the form have BOTH the English and the non-English translation on a double-sided 2-page form. The non-English sides are for educational/discussion purposes only.

Have Questions? We are here for you!

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