Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
What is POLST?
Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a medical order signed by a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant that records your preferences for life-sustaining treatments. The main purpose is to ensure your medical care aligns with your wishes during a serious medical emergency. POLST is a portable medical order that takes effect immediately once it is signed.
Why did POLST change the first word in its name from “Physician” to “Provider”?
As healthcare practices evolved, Hawai‘i expanded legal authority to allow nurse practitioners (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs), in addition to licensed physicians, to sign POLST forms. Because these orders were no longer limited to physicians, the name was changed to “Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment,” while keeping the same abbreviation, POLST.
A Consumer Guide to POLST for Hawai‘i
These resources provide information about POLST, including when it may be appropriate and how to complete the form.
View POLST resources (English)
View multilingual POLST resources (13 languages)
POLST Fillable Form (PDF)
A POLST form must be signed by a physician, APRN, or PA licensed in the state of Hawai‘i to be valid. Printing the form on green paper is recommended. Download, print, and sign the form (electronic signatures are not accepted). Send this two-page form with the person whenever they are transferred or discharged.
Download the POLST fillable form (English)
Download multilingual POLST forms (13 languages)
Why are POLST and an Advance Directive (AD) different?
Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatments (POLST) and the Advance Directive (AD) are both very important for documenting your wishes for care. However, they serve different purposes and are typically used at different stages of health care planning.
A comparison chart is available to help explain the differences and when each document may be appropriate.
Learn more on the webpage
Download the comparison chart (PDF)