The ABC’s of Health Care Directives – Part II
In our previous edition we explained what an Advance Health Care Directive is. In this edition we will talk about what is not an Advance Health Care Directive. Specifically, we will discuss DNR’s and POLST’s.
What is not an Advance Health Care Directive?
Often times, individuals will confuse an Advance Health Care Directive with the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form or a pre-hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR).
Because of its color, the POLST is often referred to as the “Pink Form.” It complements, but does not replace, an Advance Health Care Directive. The POLST is completed and signed by the patient and the patient’s physician. If the patient is not able to sign the POLST, it may be signed by the patient’s agent on behalf of the patient. The directions on the POLST may include a pre-hospitalization DNR Order. It also contains additional instructions selected by the patient for other medical interventions. Once at the hospital, a patient will be assessed by a physician who will issue appropriate orders.
A pre-hospital DNR Order is properly titled an “Emergency Medical Services Prehospital Do Not Resuscitate Form.” It is an official state document which instructs medical professionals to forego pre-hospital resuscitation. Thus, if an individual with a DNR stops breathing and emergency personnel are summoned, the emergency personnel are to forego attempts at resuscitation if they have confirmation of the DNR. The DNR form needs to be signed by a physician and readily accessible when Emergency Medical Assistance arrives.
As you can appreciate, while Advance Health Care Directives are for everybody over 18 years of age, a POLST or DNR is generally for those individuals who are aged and/or suffer from a severe medical condition such that resuscitation is not desired. If an individual completes a POLST or DNR, the use of a bracelet confirming the existence of the patient’s desires and the display of the copy of the form will help to ensure that the patient’s wishes will be honored.
In summary, all competent adults – that is everyone in California over 18 who is competent – should complete an Advance Health Care Directive. Whether an individual will complete a POLST or a pre-hospitalization DNR Order is a decision for the patient and the patient’s physician and is determined based on the patients’s circumstances and desires.
POLST forms may be obtained from your physician or ordered from the POLST Task Force at www.caPOLST.org A DNR form, which directs only pre-hospitalization personnel, can be obtained by going to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority at www.emsa.ca.gov. Click on the link for the DNR form and then select a PDF of the form identified at the top of the list of available forms. Once you have completed a POLST or a DNR, a DNR bracelet can be obtained through MedicAlert Foundation or Caring Advocates. MedicAlert can be reached at 888-755-1448 and its website is www.medicalert.org. Caring Advocates can be reached at 1-800-647-3223 and its website is www.caringadvocates.org
If you have questions regarding Advance Health Care Directives, POLST’s or DNR’s please feel free to contact us at:
2070 Pioneer Court
San Mateo, CA 94403
Tel 650-572-7933
Fax 650-572-0834
McDowall Cotter provides comprehensive legal services in three areas of practice: civil litigation; business; and wealth preservation. To learn more visit us at https://www.mcdlawyers.net. We are a San Mateo based law firm and for more than 50 years, McDowall Cotter’s chief objective has been to deliver exemplary legal services that are personalized, effective and efficient.