Faculty Collaboration Database

Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment and emergency medicine: ethical considerations, legal issues, and emerging trends. Ann Emerg Med 2014 Aug;64(2):140-4

Date

04/20/2014

Pubmed ID

24743101

DOI

10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.03.014

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84904985496 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   41 Citations

Abstract

Since its original development in Oregon in 1993, Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is quickly growing in popularity and prevalence as a method of communicating the end-of-life care preferences for the seriously ill and frail nationwide. Early evidence has suggested significant advantages over advance directives and do-not-resuscitate/do-not-intubate documents both in accuracy and penetration within relevant populations. POLST also may contribute to the quality of end-of-life care administered. Although it was designed to be as clear as possible, unexpected challenges in the interpretation and use of POLST in the emergency department do exist. In this article, we will discuss the history, ethical considerations, legal issues, and emerging trends in the use of POLST documents as they apply to emergency medicine.

Author List

Jesus JE, Geiderman JM, Venkat A, Limehouse WE Jr, Derse AR, Larkin GL, Henrichs CW 3rd, ACEP Ethics Committee

Author

Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Advance Care Planning
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Service, Hospital
Humans
Life Support Care
Physicians
Resuscitation Orders
United States