Oklahoma Code § 63-3105.4

Title 63. Public Health And Safety: Format and content of form
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1.  At the top of the first page of the standardized format
Oklahoma physician orders for life-sustaining treatment form the
following wording in all capitals shall appear against a contrasting
color background:  "FORM SHALL ACCOMPANY PERSON WHEN TRANSFERRED OR
DISCHARGED"; at the bottom of the first page the following wording
in all capitals shall appear against a contrasting color background:
"HIPAA PERMITS DISCLOSURE TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND PROXY
DECISION MAKERS AS NECESSARY FOR TREATMENT".
2.  There shall be an introductory section, the left block of
which shall contain the name "Oklahoma Physician Orders for Life-
Sustaining Treatment (POLST)" followed by the words, "This Physician
Order set is based on the patient's current medical condition and
wishes and is to be reviewed for potential replacement in the case
of a substantial change in either, as well as in other cases listed
under F.  Any section not completed indicates full treatment for
that section.  Photocopy or fax copy of this form is legal and
valid." and the right block of which shall contain lines for the
patient's name, the patient's date of birth and the effective date
of the form followed by the statement, "Form must be reviewed at
least annually."
3.  In Section A of the form, the left block shall contain, in
bold font, "A.  Check One", and the right block shall be headed, in
bold font, "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):  Person has no
pulse and is not breathing." below which there shall be a checkbox
followed by "Attempt Resuscitation (CPR)", then a checkbox followed
by "Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNR/ no CPR)", and below which
shall be the words, "When not in cardiopulmonary arrest, follow
orders in B, C and D below."
4.  In Section B of the form, the left block shall contain, in
bold, "B.  Check One", and the right block shall be headed, in bold,
"Medical Interventions:  Person has pulse and/or is breathing."
Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold, "Full
Treatment" followed by, "Includes the use of intubation, advanced
airway interventions, mechanical ventilation, defibrillation or
cardio version as indicated, medical treatment, intravenous fluids,
and cardiac monitor as indicated.  Transfer to hospital if
indicated.  Include intensive care.  Includes treatment listed under
"Limited Interventions" and "Comfort Measures", followed by, in
bold, "Treatment Goal:  Attempt to preserve life by all medically
effective means."
Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold,
"Limited Interventions" followed by, "Includes the use of medical

treatment, oral and intravenous medications, intravenous fluids,
cardiac monitoring as indicated, noninvasive bi-level positive
airway pressure, a bag valve mask or other advanced airway
interventions.  Includes treatment listed under "Comfort Measures",
followed by, "Do not use intubation or mechanical ventilation.
Transfer to hospital if indicated.  Avoid intensive care." followed
by, in bold, "Treatment Goal:  Attempt to preserve life by basic
medical treatments."
Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold,
"Comfort Measures only" followed by, "Includes keeping the patient
clean, warm and dry; use of medication by any route; positioning,
wound care and other measures to relieve pain and suffering.  Use
oxygen, suction and manual treatment of airway obstruction as needed
for comfort.  Transfer from current location to intermediate
facility only if needed and adequate to meet comfort needs and to
hospital only if comfort needs cannot otherwise be met in the
patient's current location (e.g., hip fracture; if intravenous route
of comfort measures is required)."
Below this there shall be, in italics, "Additional Orders:"
followed by an underlined space for other instructions.
5.  In Section C of the form, the left block shall contain, in
bold, "C.  Check One" and the right block shall be headed, in bold,
"Antibiotics".
Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold, "Use
antibiotics to preserve life."
Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold,
"Trial period of antibiotics if and when infection occurs."  After
this there shall be, in italics, "*Include goals below in E."
Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold,
"Initially, use antibiotics only to relieve pain and discomfort."
After this there shall be, in italics, "+Contact patient or
patient's representative for further direction."
Below this there shall be, in italics, "Additional Orders:"
followed by an underlined space for other instructions.
6.  In Section D of the form, the left block shall contain, in
bold, "D.  Check One in Each Column", and the right block shall be
headed in bold, "Assisted Nutrition and Hydration", below which
shall be "Administer oral fluids and nutrition, if necessary by
spoon feeding, if physically possible."  Below these the right block
shall be divided into three columns.
The leftmost column shall be headed, "TPN (Total Parenteral
Nutrition-provision of nutrition into blood vessels)."  Below this
there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold, "TPN long-term"
followed by "if needed".  Below this there shall be a checkbox
followed by, in bold, "TPN for a trial period*".  Below this there
shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold, "Initially, no TPN+".

The middle column shall be headed "Tube Feeding".  Below this
there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold, "Long-term feeding
tube" followed by "if needed".  Below this there shall be a checkbox
followed by, in bold, "Feeding tube for a trial period*".  Below
this there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold, "Initially, no
feeding tube".
The rightmost column shall be headed, "Intravenous (IV) Fluids
for Hydration".  Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by,
in bold, "Long-term IV fluids" followed by "if needed".  Below this
there shall be a checkbox followed by, in bold, "IV fluids for a
trial period*".  Below this there shall be a checkbox followed by,
in bold, "Initially, no IV fluids+".
Running below all the columns there shall be, in italics,
"Additional Orders:" followed by an underlined space for other
instructions, followed by, in italics, "*Include goals below in E.
+Contact patient or patient's representative for further direction."
7.  In Section E of the form, the left block shall contain, in
bold, "E.  Check all that apply" and the right block shall be
headed, in bold, "Patient Preferences as a Basis for this POLST
Form" shall include the following:
a. below the heading there shall be a box including the
words, in bold, "Patient Goals/Medical Condition:"
followed by an adequate space for such information,
b. below this there shall be a checkbox followed by, "The
patient has an advance directive for health care in
accordance with Sections 3101.4 or 3101.14 of Title 63
of the Oklahoma Statutes."  Below that there shall be
a checkbox followed by, "The patient has a durable
power of attorney for health care decisions in
accordance with the Oklahoma Health Care Agent Act."
Below that shall be the indented words, "Date of
execution" followed by an underlined space.  Below
that shall be the words, "If POLST not being executed
by patient: We certify that this POLST is in
accordance with the patient's advance directive."
Below this there shall be an underlined space
underneath which shall be positioned the words, "Name
and Position (print) Signature" and "Signature of
Physician",
c. below these shall be the words, "Directions given by:"
and below that a checkbox followed by "Patient", a
checkbox followed by "Minor's custodial parent or
guardian", a checkbox followed by "Attorney-in-fact",
a checkbox followed by "Health care proxy", and a
checkbox followed by "Other legally authorized
person:" followed by an underlined space.  Beneath or
beside the checkbox and "Other legally authorized

person:" and the underlined space shall be the words
"Basis of Authority:" followed by an underlined space,
and
d. below these shall be a four-column table with four
rows.  In the top row the first column shall be blank;
the second column shall have the words, "Printed
Name"; the third column shall have the word,
"Signature", and the fourth column shall have the
word, "Date".  In the remaining rows the second
through fourth columns shall be blank.  In the first
column of these rows, in the second row shall be the
words, "Attending physician"; in the third row shall
be the words, "Patient or other individual checked
above (patient's representative)"; and in the fourth
row shall be the words, "Health care professional
preparing form (besides doctor)."
8.  Section F of the form, which shall have the heading, in
bold, "Information for Patient or Representative of Patient Named on
this Form", shall include the following language, appearing in bold
on the form:
"The POLST form is always voluntary and is usually for persons
with advanced illness.  Before providing information for or signing
it, carefully read "Information for Patients and Their Families -
Your Medical Treatment Rights Under Oklahoma Law", which the health
care provider must give you.  It is especially important to read the
sections on CPR and food and fluids, which have summaries of
Oklahoma laws that may control the directions you may give.  POLST
records your wishes for medical treatment in your current state of
health.  Once initial medical treatment is begun and the risks and
benefits of further therapy are clear, your treatment wishes may
change.  Your medical care and this form can be changed to reflect
your new wishes at any time.  However, no form can address all the
medical treatment decisions that may need to be made.  An advance
health care directive is recommended, regardless of your health
status.  An advance directive allows you to document in detail your
future health care instructions and/or name a health care agent to
speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.
The State of Oklahoma affirms that the lives of all are of equal
dignity regardless of age or disability and emphasizes that no one
should ever feel pressured to agree to forego life-preserving
medical treatment because of age, disability or fear of being
regarded as a burden.
If this form is for a minor for whom you are authorized to make
health care decisions, you may not direct denial of medical
treatment in a manner that would violate the child abuse and neglect
laws of Oklahoma.  In particular, you may not direct the withholding
of medically indicated treatment from a disabled infant with life-

threatening conditions, as those terms are defined in 42 U.S.C.,
Section 5106g or regulations implementing it and 42 U.S.C., Section
5106a."
9.  Section G of the form, which shall have the heading, in
bold, "Directions for Completing and Implementing Form", shall
include the following three subdivisions:
a. the first subdivision, entitled "COMPLETING POLST",
shall have the following language with the words, "The
signature of the patient or the patient's
representative is required" appearing in bold on the
form:
"POLST must be reviewed and prepared in consultation
with the patient or the patient's representative after
that person has been given a copy of "Information for
Patients and Their Families - Your Medical Treatment
Rights Under Oklahoma Law".  POLST must be reviewed
and signed by a physician to be valid.  Be sure to
document the basis for concluding the patient had or
lacked capacity at the time of execution of the form
in the patient's medical record.  If the patient lacks
capacity, any current advance directive form must be
reviewed and the patient's representative and
physician must both certify that POLST complies with
it.  The signature of the patient or the patient's
representative is required; however, if the patient's
representative is not reasonably available to sign the
original form, a copy of the completed form with the
signature of the patient's representative must be
placed in the medical record as soon as practicable
and "on file" must be written on the appropriate
signature line on this form.",
b. the second subdivision, entitled "IMPLEMENTING POLST",
shall have the following language:
"If a minor protests a directive to deny the minor
life-preserving medical treatment, the denial of
treatment may not be implemented pending issuance of a
judicial order resolving the conflict.  A health care
provider unwilling to comply with POLST must comply
with the transfer and treatment pending transfer
requirements of Section 3101.9 of Title 63 of the
Oklahoma Statutes as well as those of the
Nondiscrimination in Treatment Act, Sections 3090.2
and 3090.3 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes", and
c. the third subdivision, entitled "REVIEWING POLST",
shall have the following language:
"This POLST must be reviewed at least annually or
earlier if:

The patient is admitted to or discharged from a
medical care facility; there is substantial change in
the patient's health status; or the treatment
preferences of the patient or patient's representative
change."
The same requirements for participation of the patient or
patient's representative, and signature by both a physician and the
patient or the patient's representative, that are described under
"COMPLETING POLST" shall also apply when POLST is reviewed, and must
be documented in Section I.
10.  Section H of the form, which shall have the heading, in
bold, "REVOCATION OF POLST", shall have the following language, with
the words specified below appearing in bold on the form:
"If POLST is revised or becomes invalid, write in bold the word
"VOID" in large letters on the front of the form.  After voiding the
form a new form may be completed.  A patient with capacity or the
individual or individuals authorized to sign on behalf of the
patient in Section E of this form may void this form.  If no new
form is completed, full treatment and resuscitation is to be
provided, except as otherwise authorized by Oklahoma law."
11.  Section I of the form, which shall have the heading, in

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