Thank you for your interest in the POLST form. Included in this mailing is an introductory sheet on the "why's, what's and how's" of the POLST, sample POLST forms, and samples of policies and procedures for using the form in nursing homes and hospitals.

The POLST has been used in Oregon for six years very successfully, and we have recently piloted its use in Spokane and Whitman counties, in cooperation with the WSMA, Washington State Department of Health and DSHS. EMS personnel were in-serviced in its use and instructed to honor it as they would the green EMS code status form. In addition, many skilled nursing facilities and all the acute care hospitals in these two counties have been using the POLST form since August, 2000.

The first phase of the pilot study, with only six months of use, demonstrated the usefulness of POLST. Phase two will be completed later this year with significantly larger numbers of forms anticipated to be in use. However, even at this stage, the DOH will authorize its use (and therefore its acceptance by EMS personnel in the field) in any Washington county that would like to use it. This may be accomplished by contacting:

Rick Buell, Manager
Education, Training and Regional Support
Office Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention
Tele: 360/ 705-6716
FAX: 360/ 705-6708
Rick.buell@doh.wa.gov

Recent interpretations by DSHS also allow for the use of this form in residential care facilities as long as policies and procedures are in place for its proper use.

Patients, physicians, home care personnel, and families have been particularly satisfied with this form because it promotes clarity in the patient's wishes in end of life care and interventions, and promotes compassionate care at this important time in a person's life. While not an Advance Directive, the POLST translates a patient's wishes into actual physician orders, and is portable from one care setting to another.

lf you have any questions in its use, or would like any support in incorporating the POLST into practice in your area, please get in touch with us at RENEW. Our contact person is:

Jim Shaw M.D, Medical Director
Providence Center for Faith and Healing
Sacred Heart Medical Center
PO Box 2555
Spokane WA 99220
Tele: 509/ 474-3008
FAX: 509/ 474-4236
Shawj@shmc.org

POLST. . . Better care, less paperwork

Regional Ethics Network of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho
Bill Bender bbenderc@dnamnil.com | John Osborn john.Osborn@med.va.gov | Judy Meyer meyerj@wsu.edu | Rose Mary Volbrecht volbreebt@calvin.gonzaga.cdu | Ron Large large@gonzaga.edu | James Shaw shawj@shmc.org

Sponsored by a grant from the Washington State Medical Association's Patient Awareness and Community Education Program

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