The Illinois Uniform Do-Not-Resuscitate form is being changed as a result of legislation requiring it to comply with national Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) guidelines.
Here are a few important points you should know about POLST.
- Bringing the current Illinois DNR form in to compliance with POLST makes the proposed new form a medical order that can cross traditional boundaries.
- By law, the new form (which will include a DNR) must be honored by emergency medical services (EMS) and all health care facilities.
- These forms do not replace a Power of Attorney for Healthcare. The POA-HC is still a very important document to ensure that patient’s values guide treatment decisions as disease processes change.
- These forms also do not replace the discussion that patients, families, and caregivers need to have regarding their values, preferences, and goals of care.
- At OSF HealthCare, the role of our OSF Care Decisions facilitators will be critical as this initiative rolls out.
Next week, I will update you on whose signatures are required on the POLST.
Last Updated: November 6, 2018