The Role of the Physician and the POLST

Physicians ultimately retain the overall responsibility for the completion and content of the form. And because it establishes medical orders, a physician must sign the POLST form in order for it to be valid.

Once signed by both the physician and patient, POLST becomes part of a patient's medical record. And because it's a dynamic document, POLST can be modified or revoked, based on new information or changes in a patient's condition or preferences.