Oregon POLST Coalition Adopts Statement Against Discrimination in End-of-Life Care
On September 24th, the Oregon POLST Coalition endorsed the efforts of our member organizations to stand against systemic racism and injustice by adopting our Statement Against Discrimination in End-of-Life Care.
The Coalition honors diversity and supports inclusion in the care of people who are nearing the end of their lives. The POLST Program continues to expand its portfolio of patient stories, reflecting an ever evolving inclusive approach to end-of-life care.
Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Provides an Updated Fact Sheet on POLST Use
Reflecting some of the significant provisions within SB 1606 that was recently signed into Oregon Law and reminders of aspects previously established in Oregon POLST, this updated fact sheet from ODDS outlines important safeguards for the care of persons with
intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Health Surrogates Should Not be Required to Sign POLSTs
This month, The American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® published a manuscript by Drs. Robert Macauley and Susan Tolle discussing the benefits of not requiring health surrogates to sign POLST forms.
"The question, of course, is not whether informed consent is required, but what degree of verification of that consent is sufficient."
Oregon has more than a quarter century of experience with not requiring a surrogate's signature.
University of Washington Reports Rate of Conflicting POLST Orders
A study of conflicting POLST® orders in hospitalized Washington residents identified 28.5% of patients to have at least one incompatible order. Rates of conflicting orders are remarkably lower in Oregon, because Oregon removed the antibiotic and artificial nutrition sections from the
Oregon POLST form.
An exact comparison is not possible, whereas Oregon defines incompatible orders for CPR and medical interventions less broadly than Washington. We agree that the combination of CPR and Comfort Measures Only are conflicting orders. Furthermore, Oregon considers this order combination to be invalid and does not enter these forms into the Oregon POLST Registry. This order combination was reported by Woody Moss and Dana Zive to occur at a rate of 0.11%.
The Oregon POLST Program wishes you and those you serve to remain well & safe during these challenging times.
