National POLST

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POLST is always voluntary and should be available to all seriously ill or frail individuals.

Honoring the wishes of those with advanced illness or frailty using portable medical orders (POLST forms) and promoting shared-decision making about treatments. National POLST improves the quality of care for patients who are seriously ill or frail by creating a system that elicits, documents and honors patient medical treatment wishes through portable medical orders. POLST is part of advance care planning, a process that includes conversations between patients and health care professionals about goals of care and quality of life. Everyone is encouraged to complete an advance directive but recognize its limitation: advance directives are not medical orders so emergency personnel cannot follow guidance provided in an advance directive during a medical emergency. Instead, once the patient is in the hospital and stabilized, the health care team works with the surrogate identified in the advance directive and reviews the patient’s wishes to develop a treatment plan. With a POLST form, the treatment plan is developed in advance and moved upstream; the medical orders on the form give clear instructions to emergency personnel about whether the patient wanted CPR and whether they wanted to go to the hospital or remain where they are.

08/31/2026

Join the National POLST Collaborative on October 7, 2026, from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM PST for Advance Care Planning and POLST in Long-Term Care, a webinar focused on advance care planning in long-term care.

Presented by Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, FPALTC; Annette Meares, DNP, RN, HEC-C; and KJ Page, RNC, LNHA, this session will explore:
• The purpose and stages of Advance Care Planning (ACP)
• The differences between Advance Directives and POLST forms
• When each document is appropriate
• How to incorporate ACP, Advance Directives, and POLST into clinical practice
• The role of the interdisciplinary team in supporting effective implementation

Register today and join us on October 7: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JoEmhCnIR8iYbgks-lZFVA

07/28/2026

Federal Policy Update

Several key federal bills that could impact advance care planning and POLST remain under consideration in Congress, including legislation to:

• Expand access to Medicare advance care planning services
• Support electronic advance directives and a national registry framework
• Study a secure national system for storing advance directives
• Strengthen hospice oversight and program integrity

While these bills remain in committee, bipartisan interest in advancing person-centered care continues. The National POLST Collaborative will continue to monitor federal policy developments and advocate for policies that improve care for people with serious illness.

07/21/2026

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the National POLST Collaborative Board of Directors!

We are excited to welcome Wendy Davis (Virginia), Chelsey Patten (Colorado), Kandyce Powell (Maine), and Hilary Walker (Washington) to the Board. Their expertise and leadership will help advance our mission of improving person-centered care.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our retiring board members—Cindy Munn (Louisiana), Vicki Buchda (Arizona), and Judy Thomas—for their dedication, leadership, and service to the National POLST Collaborative.

We also recognize our continuing Board members for their ongoing leadership and commitment:
• Matt Kestenbaum (President, Virginia)
• Susan Nelson (Past President, Louisiana)
• Kim Callanan (Treasurer, Texas)
• Jennifer Ballentine (California)
• Jeannette Kojane (Hawaii)
• Christine McMichael (Massachusetts)
• Paula Sanders (Georgia)
• Karl Steinberg (California)

Together, we look forward to advancing high-quality, person-centered care.

07/14/2026

Join the National POLST Collaborative today!

We offer membership options for individuals, organizations, state programs, and supporters, with benefits including exclusive resources, advocacy updates, networking opportunities, training discounts, and more.

Connect with a nationwide community, access exclusive resources, receive advocacy updates, enjoy training discounts, and help advance person-centered care.

Learn more and apply: https://polst.org/member-application/

07/13/2026

Progress happens through collaboration.

See how the National POLST Collaborative is advancing education, technology, advocacy, and research in our latest quarterly newsletter. Catch up on recent milestones and discover what's ahead for the POLST community.

Read the newsletter:

06/23/2026

Understanding POLST starts with having the right information.

Patients and families often ask:

- What is a POLST form?
- Who should have one?
- Can a POLST form be changed?
- Will my POLST form be honored if I move?

The National POLST Collaborative's Frequently Asked Questions page provides answers to common questions and helps support informed conversations about serious illness care.

Explore the FAQs: POLST.org/frequently-asked-questions-for-patients

06/16/2026

Family gatherings often bring generations together, making them a natural opportunity to discuss what matters most.

Advance care planning is about sharing values, goals, and preferences — not just completing forms.

Starting the conversation today can help loved ones feel more prepared and confident in the future.

Learn more: https://polst.org

06/09/2026

A POLST form is not a one-time conversation.

As health conditions, goals, and treatment preferences change, it may be appropriate to review a POLST form with a healthcare professional. Review is also important during transitions between care settings to help ensure care continues to reflect a person's wishes.

Regular conversations about goals of care can help ensure treatment decisions remain aligned with what matters most.

Learn more: https://polst.org/

06/04/2026

What makes a good day for you?

It’s a simple question, but the answer can help guide important healthcare decisions.

Advance care planning starts with understanding what matters most to you—your goals, values, and preferences for care. For individuals living with serious illness or frailty, these conversations can help ensure treatment aligns with what is most important to them. The POLST process supports these discussions by translating patient wishes into actionable medical orders.

Learn more about NPC and advance care planning: https://polst.org/

Address

Washington D.C., DC

Telephone

+12027808352

Website

http://www.polst.org/

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