The Kōkua Mau website is the central source for POLST information for Hawai‘i.
POLST (Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a portable medical order that takes effect as soon as it is signed. It can follow you from home into a medical setting, and after discharge to your home or other setting such as a nursing or care home.
- POLST is a form that contains medical orders that specify the type of care you would like in the event of a medical emergency.
- This form can be quickly understood by all healthcare professionals, including first responders and ambulance personnel.
- Transferable to all healthcare settings and produced on a distinctive bright green form, POLST must be explained and signed by a physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or Physician Assistant (PA) and the patient or your legally authorized representative.
More POLST information
- POLST Information for Providers
- A Consumer Guide to POLST for Hawai‘i
- Multilingual POLST Form for Hawai‘i
POLST Legislation 2009 to Present
Ongoing: in Hawaiʻi 327K is the statute on POLST that regulates its implementation – PDF of chapter 327K
2024
Act 98 was the change made in 2024 to take out the 5 words – “must examine the patient.” See detail of Act 98 on line 20 page 3, or context on our webpage.
2023
With input from local key informants, reviewing the national POLST form and best practice in other states, the Hawaiʻi POLST Task Force made improvements to our Hawaiʻi POLST Form. In May 2023 this change was approved by the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH). We encourage everyone to use the updated version of POLST (download link on the POLST Information for Provider page).
2022
Act 293 (HB1575 HD2 SB2) was signed into law on July 12, 2022. Among other expansions to physician assistant (PA) scope of practice, Act 293 amends Hawaii Revised Statutes 327K and 327K-3 to include PAs as providers. PDF of Act 293 from 2022.
2014
Act 154 is the change in language from ‘Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment’ to ‘Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment’ and expand signing privileges to APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse). Context on our webpage. PDF of Act 154 from 2014
2009
Act 186 was the first Hawaiʻi POLST legislation in 2009. Download the pdf of the (2009) bill, (now Act 186).
About the legal process of Act 186: On July 16, 2009 POLST introduced as HB1379 HD2 SD2 CD1 became law without the Governor’s signature as Act 186, (Gov. Msg. No. 543).
