Which statement best differentiates POLST from an Advance Directive?

Which statement best differentiates POLST from an Advance Directive?

• A. A POLST is not legally binding while an advance directive must be followed
• B. A POLST is a more current term for an advance directive and there are no differences between them
• C. A POLST contains medical orders, but an advance directive does not
• D. A POLST names a health care proxy, but an advance directive does not

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that POLSTs are medical orders, while Advance Directives are not. A POLST turns a patient’s current treatment preferences into concrete, actionable orders that healthcare providers must follow across settings and in emergencies. An Advance Directive is a legal document that expresses preferences for future care and can name a health care proxy, but it does not provide the day-to-day medical orders that guide immediate clinical decisions. So the defining difference is that POLST contains medical orders to be followed now, whereas an Advance Directive serves as a guiding document for future decisions and may designate a decision-maker.

The key idea is that POLSTs are medical orders, while Advance Directives are not. A POLST turns a patient’s current treatment preferences into concrete, actionable orders that healthcare providers must follow across settings and in emergencies. An Advance Directive is a legal document that expresses preferences for future care and can name a health care proxy, but it does not provide the day-to-day medical orders that guide immediate clinical decisions. So the defining difference is that POLST contains medical orders to be followed now, whereas an Advance Directive serves as a guiding document for future decisions and may designate a decision-maker.