What should EMS personnel do if a POLST Form is presented?

What should EMS personnel do if a POLST Form is presented?

• A. Verify the form's validity and identify the patient.
• B. Ignore the form unless the patient is in immediate danger.
• C. Call hospital discharge planner.
• D. Verify the form's validity, identify the patient, and contact medical control if necessary.

Answer: (D)

POLST forms are physician orders that guide EMS on life-sustaining treatment for patients with serious illness or frailty. When one is presented, treat it as current orders and act accordingly. The right approach is to verify the form’s validity—check for a physician’s signature, date, and that it’s applicable and up to date—identify the patient to ensure the orders match the person in front of you, and contact medical control if there’s any ambiguity, if the form conflicts with your protocols, or if you need interpretation. If the form is valid and applicable, you follow its directives; if anything is unclear, medical control can provide direction. This is preferred over ignoring the form or routing questions to hospital staff who aren’t in the field, because it protects patient preferences and ensures care aligns with the documented wishes.

POLST forms are physician orders that guide EMS on life-sustaining treatment for patients with serious illness or frailty. When one is presented, treat it as current orders and act accordingly. The right approach is to verify the form’s validity—check for a physician’s signature, date, and that it’s applicable and up to date—identify the patient to ensure the orders match the person in front of you, and contact medical control if there’s any ambiguity, if the form conflicts with your protocols, or if you need interpretation. If the form is valid and applicable, you follow its directives; if anything is unclear, medical control can provide direction. This is preferred over ignoring the form or routing questions to hospital staff who aren’t in the field, because it protects patient preferences and ensures care aligns with the documented wishes.