Legal and planning
Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)
MOLST is a medical order form used in some states, such as New York and Maryland. It records a seriously ill patient's wishes about CPR and other life-sustaining treatment. A doctor or other authorized provider completes it with the patient. It works like POLST under a different state name.
Why it matters for your family
MOLST turns a conversation about care into a medical order that follows the person. Maryland says its form does not expire and goes with the patient to the hospital, rehab, assisted living and home. New York says MOLST is for patients with serious health conditions who want to limit treatment, live in long-term care or may die within a year. Families often assume a living will does the same job. It does not, because emergency staff follow medical orders. Check your state's name for the form, since some states say POLST. Ask the doctor about it. Home caregivers should know where the form is kept.
Source: health.ny.gov
Read more: What is Elder Law and Do You Need an Elder Care Attorney?
Related terms
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)POLST is a portable medical order for seriously ill people.
- Advance directiveAn advance directive is a legal document that states your health care wishes in case you cannot decide for yourself.
- Do not resuscitate order (DNR)A do not resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical order that tells health care professionals not to perform CPR if a person's heart or breathing stops.
- Living willA living will is a legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment.
- Advance care planningAdvance care planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future medical care.
- Healthcare proxyA healthcare proxy is a person you name to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
