INTRODUCING THE POLST CHAMPION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Since 2009, POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) has been the gold standard tool for discussing, documenting, and communicating treatment wishes of persons with serious illness. In 2021, the state of California authorized funding to establish a statewide POLST electronic registry (eRegistry) so that creating and retrieving POLST from any location is faster and easier. The Coalition for Compassionate Care of California (CCCC) and the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) have been close partners in the POLST program and eRegistry development.

POLST Knowledge Deficiencies

A 2024 survey conducted by CCCC, with more than 3,600 statewide respondents representing a wide variety of clinical disciplines and healthcare settings, demonstrated that California healthcare professionals continue to struggle with POLST knowledge and process.

Across all disciplines and settings, the average percentage of correct responses to POLST knowledge questions in the survey fell below 50% for 11 of 19 questions and below 5% for 4. Only one question received an average percentage of correct answers above 70%.

POLST Champion Certificate

To address these deficiencies and provide opportunities for comprehensive or refresher education, CCCC has developed a new, comprehensive certificate program to train and support POLST CHAMPIONS to serve as their organization’s or community’s POLST expert. Click here for the full program brochure.

 

August 19, 2024

UPDATE ON POLST AND EPIC

The National POLST Collaborative has given permission to incorporate the National POLST model form into the Epic foundation platform. Currently, California only officially recognizes the California POLST form approved by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Utilizing the generic National POLST model form without state-specific requirements may jeopardize patient care.

If your emergency department or local emergency services agency encounters a patient with a National POLST model form or a POLST form from another state, CCCC recommends that you honor the form, where possible, as a representation of the patient’s expressed wishes. However, we understand that EMS and emergency department policies may vary.

For further information, please contact info@coalitionccc.org.