POLST

I have received several emails from POLST. Not recognizing the acronym, I decided it was political in nature and so have deleted each message as quickly as it arrived. Last week, however, I learned that POLST stands for Physicians Order for Life-Sustaining Treatments. While this does not exist in every state, we have this wonderful service in Nevada. The papers involved, signed by your primary care doctor, list the types of treatment - if any - you would want if you were incapacitated.
While Advance Directives may state, "no heroics", when paramedics arrive it is their job and responsibility to save a life, regardless of the individuals wishes. Since these wishes cannot be communicated by someone who is incapacitated, someone seeking an end-of-life-choice for a terminal illness may be revived. POLST prevents this. Paramedics may have been called out of frenzy and fear, but these papers, usually pink or red, posted in a conspicuous place like the refrigerator mean the paramedics know and understand your wishes, they will fulfill them, and a quiet death may ensue rather than frantic pounding and beating on a body whose life is near its end.
I do not mean to sound cold here, but when someone has decided that pain and suffering and medication and surgery are not a solution but an aggravation to a problem, it is important to listen, allow, and permit an individual's decision.