Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Physicians Encouraged to Learn More About Palliative Care

At recent HMSA Physician Liaison Committee meetings statewide, John Berthiaume, MD, HMSA’s Vice President and Medical Director of Care Management, shared information with doctors about end-of-life care. He said there is opportunity for patients and their families to receive more compassionate counseling and preparation before end-of-life decisions become pressing.

Acknowledging that this is a sensitive subject in multi-cultural Hawaii, Dr. Berthiaume said that families have a better grieving experience when end-of-life issues are discussed early and appropriately. Physicians are asked: “Would it surprise you if this patient passed away in the next six months?” If the answer is no, the patient is a good candidate for referral to palliative care, Dr. Berthiaume said. However, such services are underutilized. In Hawaii, 1.4 percent of all Medicare patients in Hawaii receive hospice services vs. 2.9 percent nationally.

HMSA will be working with organizations like Kokua Mau to educate physicians and patients about palliative care, hospice and use of the bright lime green POLST form (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). The POLST form, which should be posted and visible to family and emergency personnel, is a physician’s order that gives patients control over end-of-life care decisions. It encourages communication among healthcare providers, patients and their families and promotes informed decision-making.

Kokua Mau, which is Hawaii’s hospice and palliative care organization, has an informative web site at http://www.kokuamau.org/professionals which includes the POLST form in PDF format and information about POLST for practitioners and consumers

Please also click on the links below for more information regarding POLST:

• Hawaii POLST Form [PDF]
• Provider’s Guide to POLST

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