The New Jersey POLST form ensures that individuals receive the medical care they want, especially when facing serious illness or declining health. This form, known as the Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), provides clear instructions to healthcare providers about a person’s treatment preferences. Unlike a traditional advance directive, the New Jersey POLST form is a medical order signed by a healthcare provider, making it legally binding and immediately actionable in medical settings. For those who want to maintain control over their medical treatment even if they become unable to communicate their wishes, having this form completed is an important step in planning for the future.
When the New Jersey POLST Form Is Used
The New Jersey POLST form is most often used for individuals with severe, chronic, or life-limiting conditions who want to document their treatment choices in a way that healthcare providers must follow. It is typically recommended for people who may be nearing the end of life or those with progressive illnesses such as advanced heart disease, cancer, or late-stage dementia. Unlike a standard advance directive, which is often broad and open to interpretation, a POLST form provides detailed instructions for emergency responders, doctors, and nurses about what treatments should or should not be administered.
For example, if an individual has severe congestive heart failure and does not wish to be resuscitated in the event of cardiac arrest, the New Jersey POLST form would specify a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. Similarly, someone with late-stage Parkinson’s disease who wants limited medical intervention but prefers comfort care at home can indicate those preferences on the form. Because the POLST form must be signed by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant, it carries the weight of a medical order, ensuring that healthcare providers respect the patient’s choices.
What the New Jersey POLST Form Covers and Why It Matters
The New Jersey POLST form allows individuals to outline specific medical interventions they want or wish to avoid. It covers choices related to resuscitation, intubation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, and other life-sustaining treatments. By completing this form, individuals can prevent unwanted procedures and ensure that their medical care aligns with their values and beliefs.
A common situation where the POLST form proves invaluable is during a medical emergency. If paramedics are called to a home or nursing facility, they typically follow life-saving protocols by default. However, they will follow the documented instructions if a completed POLST form is present. This can prevent unnecessary and potentially distressing interventions that the individual did not want.
The POLST form follows the patient across different care settings. Whether in a hospital, assisted living facility, or receiving home care, the document remains part of the medical record, ensuring that the person’s healthcare wishes remain consistent even if they change locations. Families often find peace of mind knowing that their loved one’s preferences are clear, reducing the burden of making difficult medical decisions under stress.
Ensuring Your Healthcare Wishes Are Honored
Having the New Jersey POLST form in place assures that medical decisions will reflect personal wishes rather than leaving them up to medical staff or family members during a crisis. Rothkoff Law Group helps individuals and families understand the legal and medical considerations of advance care planning, including completing the POLST form and other essential healthcare documents. Whether ensuring a loved one’s preferences are properly recorded or reviewing how the POLST form works in conjunction with an advance directive, our team provides the guidance needed to put clear medical decisions in place. Contact us to discuss how we can support you in planning for your healthcare future.