Talking about POLST

1
Talking about POLST

• Mark Apfel, MD
• Anderson Valley Health Center, Boonville
• Joanne Hatchett, FNP
• Woodland Healthcare, Woodland

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Talking about POLST

• Why should we have POLST Conversations?
• Benefits of POLST, in addition to the Advance
  Health Care Directive

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The POLST Conversation

• POLST integrates the patients values and
  preferred preferences for treatment.
• How to have the conversation.
• Words to avoid.

4
POLST Conversations

• Some conversations are simple
• Some conversations are complex

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POLST Depth of the Process

• POLST is not just a form.
• POLST facilitates discussion of the patients
  choices for intensity of medical treatment.
• POLST is not static as frailty or medical
  condition progresses, POLST can be changed.

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POLST is a Collaborative Effort

• Physician and healthcare staff collaborate on
  POLST discussion and completion.
• The POLST Conversation can be initiated by the
  physician or a trained health care professional.
• Every conversation is meaningful.

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Talking about POLST

• The POLST Conversation is more complex than Read
  this and check the boxes.
• How to have the conversation is covered in the
  California POLST Education Program.
• What is POLST and more
• POLST Script, POLST Cue Card
• Case Studies and Role Plays
• Individual and Group Learning methods

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Talking about POLST

• POLST is a proactive process to facilitate
  discussions that patients want to have regarding
  their health and choices for medical care.
• POLST promotes continuity of care throughout the
  health care continuum.
• Resources are available to facilitate your
  comfort and participation with POLST.