AB 637: Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment forms.

Existing law defines a request regarding resuscitative measures to mean a written document, signed by an individual, as specified, and the physician, that directs a health care provider regarding resuscitative measures, and includes a Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment form (POLST form). Existing law requires a physician to treat a patient in accordance with the POLST form and specifies the criteria for creation of a POLST form, including that the form be completed by a health care provider based on patient preferences and medical indications, and signed by a physician and the patient or his or her legally recognized health care decisionmaker.

This bill would authorize the signature of a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant acting under the supervision of the physician and within the scope of practice authorized by law to create a valid POLST form.