Is POLST Required?
No. POLST should never be required. It is completely voluntary and must not be a requirement for admission or transfer. Patients for whom a POLST may be appropriate should be offered and informed about POLST, but whether or not to have one is their choice.
When do we start using POLST and the ePOLST registry?
The ePOLST Registry go-live is scheduled for April 6, 2027, at which time the creation of MOLST forms will cease. All portable orders will be created as a POLST form in the ePOLST Registry.
After April 6, 2027, We recommend destroying any blank MOLST forms, deleting from digital files, and scrubbing any references to MOLST from websites.
Will existing completed MOLST forms still be valid?
All MOLST forms that were created prior to the official go-live date of the ePOLST Registry will continue to be honored. Any changes in patient status and treatment choices should trigger a conversation with the patient to review their orders and to create a new POLST, if appropriate.
Will there be paper POLSTs?
Only POLSTs created in the ePOLST Registry will be presumed valid. The completed POLST must be printed from the ePOLST Registry and shared with the patient to keep in a place where it is easy for emergency responders to find. It is not possible to complete a paper POLST and upload it in the ePOLST registry as this cannot be verified for validity.
Who can sign the POLST form?
In Massachusetts: physicians (MD, DO), nurse practitioners (NP), and physician assistants (PA) are authorized to sign a POLST.
Who must sign for the form to be valid?
The POLST form must be signed by the authorized clinician AND the patient/legal guardian/healthcare agent.
What if the patient cannot sign?
- If the patient lacks capacity, the patient's activated healthcare agent or legal guardian (only with specific permission from the court) can sign.
- If the patient has capacity, but the electronic signature isn't possible because of functional limitations or technological challenges, the clinician will select the reason patient is unable to sign from a dropdown menu. The printed form will have the reason patient is unable to sign in place of the patient signature.
*Do not print the POLST form to obtain patient wet signature.
Can a patient or their activated Health Care Agent or Guardian see the completed POLST form in the ePOLST registry?
Yes, the patient may create an account where they will be able to view and print any documents the provider has created or uploaded. They are also able to give access to their health care agent.
Please keep in mind that any form that is uploaded by the patient or provider, such as the Health Care Proxy form, cannot be validated by the ePOLST System.
Can a patient update their POLST form independently?
No. A patient can request a revocation of the POLST at any time; however, they cannot modify the form themselves. If the patient wishes to change their POLST, the patient should contact their provider.
Where can I find additional information about POLST?
The National POLST Collaborative has a wealth of information about POLST on their website: You can link to the National POLST Collaborative website here.