What is the role of EMS and healthcare providers regarding POLST Forms?

• A. To ignore unsigned forms
• B. To honor any completed POLST Form that is formally authorized by a state or territory
• C. To rewrite forms to reflect local policy
• D. To transfer the form to hospital records only

Answer: (B)

POLST forms are medical orders that capture a patient’s treatment preferences for life-sustaining care and are intended to travel with the patient across EMS and healthcare settings. The role of EMS and other providers is to honor a POLST form that is properly completed and formally authorized by the appropriate state or territory. This means the form is a recognized, legally valid order, current and signed by the patient or their surrogate, and readily accessible in the patient’s records or wallet so it can guide decisions in an emergency. By following these forms, we respect patient autonomy and ensure the care delivered aligns with what the patient would want, even when they can’t communicate. It should not be ignored if unsigned, since unsigned forms lack the necessary authority; it should not be rewritten to reflect local policy, as that would alter the patient’s stated wishes; and it should not be kept only in hospital records, because EMS and out-of-hospital providers need access to guide decisions in the field.