Pennsylvania POLST Forms
By Sean Quinlan, Esq. · Updated January 15, 2025
Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) translate advance-directive preferences into a portable physician order — actionable by EMS, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Who needs one
Patients with serious illness or frailty where death within a year would not be unexpected. Healthy adults don't need a POLST.
Execution
Signed by both patient (or surrogate) and a physician, PA, or CRNP. Printed on bright pink paper, posted where EMS will see it.
Relationship to living will
POLST controls in the field. Living will guides POLST creation. Healthcare POA names the agent who works with the physician on POLST.
This article is general information about Pennsylvania law as of the update date above. It is not legal advice for your situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice on your specific facts, please schedule a consultation.
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