Table 1 Differences between the American and Danish POLST forms

The POLST form is always voluntary and is usually for persons with serious illness or frailty.

The POLST form is always voluntary and is for persons with serious illness or frailty.

For persons at any age with serious illness and/ or limited life expectancy and/or a person who has a disease process (not just a disability) that is an end-stage medical condition or terminal illness.

For persons of 18 years and older with no known cognitive impairment, with serious illness or frailty for whom their physician would not be surprised if they died within a year.

Can be completed by the patient or their surrogate with a licensed health professional

Can be completed by the patient and a physician (MD)

Actionable medical orders for current treatment

This document is currently in testing and, therefore, cannot serve as an actionable medical order (decisions are additionally registered in the patient’s medical record and are thereby actionable medical orders).