Oregon POLST Resources for POLST Completion & Submission

How to Register a POLST Form

Beginning December 1, 2022, new 2023 POLST forms can be ordered by hospitals, clinics, hospices, memory care units, SNFs and other facilities at https://oregonpolst.org/ordering-oregon-polst-forms-and-materials/ or look under the website’s Resources tab.

Refer to the current Guidelines on POLST Use for Persons with Significant Disabilities who are Now Near the End of Life.

Note: Health care professionals are advised against the use of POLST in those individuals with stable disabilities who do not have a serious illness that is in the advanced stages. See the Oregon DHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services fact sheet on POLST use.

ORS 127.635(2)(a-g) – Statutory appointment of health care representative without written appointment

The Oregon POLST Registry will accept verbal/phone orders from MD/DO/NP/PA/ND in accordance with the submitting facilities’ verbal order policy. Verbal orders should be documented per medical practice standards. Refer to OAR 333-270-0030.

Suggested steps for Hospice & Long-Term Care

• A designated trained staff person assists a patient or legal decision maker to complete the POLST form.
• If the signer is not present, a verbal order for POLST is obtained from the responsible physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant.
• Per their institutional/organizational policy, an authorized staff person documents the verbal order (‘VORB’ or ‘VO’ or ‘TO’) with the first and last name of the authorizing physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant along with their name and role in the signature box, the date the order was authorized in the required date field, AND LEGIBLY prints the first and last name of the authorizing professional in Section E ‘Print Signing MD/DO/NP/PA/ND Name.’ This will allow for rapid and reliable entry into the Registry.
• Same day submission: The staff person then takes the POLST form and using a FAX cover sheet, FAXes it to the Registry, and returns the POLST form as soon as possible to the patient’s home.
• The Registry should be sent the authenticated/signed POLST form once it is available.

Download the POLST Guidance for Health Care Professionals current version.

Additional resources for health care professionals are on our Resources webpage.