The Physician Orders for Life‐Sustaining Treatment Program: Oregon Emergency Medical Technicians' Practical Experiences and Attitudes

Abstract

To evaluate emergency medical technicians' (EMTs) experiences with the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) program and learn about attitudes regarding its effectiveness. Anonymous survey mailed to a stratified random sample. Tri-County Portland, Oregon, area. A total of 572 Oregon EMT respondents (out of 1,048 surveys) were included in the analysis. Survey questions about experiences with the POLST form and opinions about POLST. Respondents were mostly male (76%) and paramedics (66%). Most respondents (73%) had treated a patient with a POLST, and 74% reported receiving education about POLST. EMTs reported that POLST, when present, changed treatment in 45% of cases. Seventy-five percent of the respondents agreed that the POLST form provides clear instructions about patient preferences, and 93% agreed that the POLST form is useful in determining which treatments to provide when the patient is in cardiopulmonary arrest. Fewer (63%) agreed that the form is useful in determining treatments when the patient has a pulse and is breathing. Most respondents have experience with the POLST program. EMTs find the POLST form useful and often use it to change treatment decisions for patients.