End of Life Care Resources

Physcian Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

POLST is a physician order that specifies the types of medical treatment a patient wishes to receive towards the end of life. It gives specific actionable physician-orders for nurses, physicians, emergency responders and other health care professionals.

• Should be used for seriously ill adults
• Travels with patient when transferred to different medical setting
• POLST does not replace Advance Directive

End of Life Summit Speaker Presentations

In June 2009, the Health Plan of San Mateo hosted the End of Life Summit, sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation. Attendees included HPSM primary care physicians and community physicians. Speakers discussed issues surrounding end of life care including the use of the POLST form.