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All adults, regardless of current health
Recognized in every state
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Any adult (or parent for a minor child) with a serious illness or frailty when the health care practitioner would not be surprised if the patient died within the next year or two
POLST programs not available in every state
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The person, with or without an attorney
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A doctor or, in some states, a nurse practitioner or physician assistant after care planning has been discussed with the person (or, if the person is incapacitated, with the surrogate decision maker)
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Preferences (not medical orders) regarding possible future treatment alternatives and appointment of a substitute medical decision maker (health care agent)
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A doctor's medical orders for major critical care decisions that could arise because of the patient's current medical condition
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Decisions by surrogates (substitute decision makers)
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Surrogates cannot make an advance directive for the patient
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Surrogates can participate in and consent to POLST when patients lack the capacity to make their own decisions
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Generally does not apply to emergency care
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Applies to emergency care
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Responsible for providing the documents to health care practitioners wherever care is provided
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Patient's and family's responsibility
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Health care practitioner's responsibility
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Who reviews and revises the document as needed
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The person who made the advance directive
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The health care practitioner with the person or surrogate
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Use of both documents for the same person
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Specifies general goals and wishes through all stages of the person's life and serves as a starting point for discussing POLST
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Complements advance directives by converting the person's general goals and wishes into specific medical orders
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