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INDIANA PHYSICIAN ORDERS FOR SCOPE OF TREATMENT (POST)
State Form 55317 (R3 / 5-18)
Indiana State Department of Health – IC 16-36-6
INSTRUCTIONS: This form is a physician’s order for scope of treatment based on the patient’s current medical condition
and preferences. The POST should be reviewed whenever the patient’s condition changes. A POST form is voluntary. A
patient is not required to complete a POST form. A patient with capacity or their legal representative may void a POST
form at any time by communicating that intent to the health care provider. Any section not completed does not invalidate
the form and implies full treatment for that section. HIPAA permits disclosure to health care professionals as necessary
for treatment. The original form is personal property of the patient. A facsimile, paper, or electronic copy of this form
is
a valid form.
Patient Last Name
Patient First Name
Middle Initial
Birth Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
Medical Record Number
Date Prepared (mm/dd/yyyy)
DESIGNATION OF PATIENTS PREFERENCES: The following sections (A through D) are the patient’s current
preferences for scope of treatment.
A
Check
One
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR): Patient has no pulse AND is not breathing.
Attempt Resuscitation / CPR Do Not Attempt Resuscitation / DNR
When not in cardiopulmonary arrest, follow orders in B, C and D.
B
Check
One
MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS: If patient has pulse AND is breathing OR has pulse and is NOT breathing.
Comfort Measures (Allow Natural Death): Treatment Goal: Maximize comfort through symptom management.
Relieve pain and suffering through the use of any medication by any route, positioning, wound care and other
measures. Use oxygen, suction and manual treatment of airway obstruction as needed for comfort. Patient
prefers no transfer to hospital for life-sustaining treatments. Transfer to hospital only if comfort needs cannot
be met in current location.
Limited Additional Interventions: Treatment Goal: Stabilization of medical condition. In addition to care
described in Comfort Measures above, use medical treatment for stabilization, IV fluids (hydration) and
cardiac monitor as indicated to stabilize medical condition. May use basic airway management techniques
and non-invasive positive-airway pressure. Do not intubate. Transfer to hospital if indicated to manage
medical needs or comfort. Avoid intensive care if possible.
Full Intervention: Treatment Goal: Full interventions including life support measures in the intensive care unit.
In addition to care described in Comfort Measures and Limited Additional Interventions above, use intubation,
advanced airway interventions, and mechanical ventilation as indicated. Transfer to hospital and/or intensive
care unit if indicated to meet medical needs.
C
Check
One
ANTIBIOTICS:
Use antibiotics for infection only if comfort cannot be achieved fully through other means.
Use antibiotics consistent with treatment goals.
D
Check
One
ARTIFICIALLY ADMINISTERED NUTRITION: Always offer food and fluid by mouth if feasible.
No artificial nutrition.
Defined trial period of artificial nutrition by tube. (Length of trial: ________ Goal: _______________________)
Long-term artificial nutrition.
O
PTIONAL ADDITIONAL ORDERS:
SIGNATURE PAGE: This form consists of two (2) pages. Both pages must be present. The following page
includes signatures required for the POST form to be effective.
Reset Form
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Patient Name: _
Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy): _
SIGNATURE OF PATIENT OR LEGALLY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE: In order for the POST form to be
effective, the patient or legally appointed representative must sign and date the form below.
E
SIGNATURE OF PATIENT OR LEGALLY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE
My signature below indicates that my physician or physician’s designee discussed with me the above orders and
the selected orders correctly represent my wishes.
Signature (required by statute) Print Name (required by statute)
Date (required by statute)
(mm/dd/yyyy)
F
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR LEGALLY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE IN SECTION E (IF APPLICABLE):
If the signature above is other than patient’s, add contact information for the representative.
Relationship of representative identified in
Section E if patient does not have capacity
(required by statute)
Address (number and street, city, state, and ZIP code)
Telephone Number
PHYSICIAN ORDER:
A POST form may be executed only by an individual’s treating physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician
assistant, and only if:
(1) the treating physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant has determined that:
(A) the individual is a qualified person; and
(B) the medical orders contained in the individual’s POST form are reasonable and medically appropriate for the
individual; and
(2) the qualified person or representative has signed and dated the POST form
A qualified person is an individual who has at least one (1) of the following:
(1) An advanced chronic progressive illness.
(2) An advanced chronic progressive frailty.
(3) A condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty:
(A) there can be no recovery; and
(B) death will occur from the condition within a short period without the provision of life prolonging procures.
(4) A medical condition that, if the person were to suffer cardiac or pulmonary failure, resuscitation would be unsuccessful
or within a short period the person would experience repeated cardiac or pulmonary failure resulting in death.
G
DOCUMENTATION OF DISCUSSION: Orders discussed with (check one):
Patient (patient has capacity) Health Care Representative Legal Guardian
Parent of Minor Health Care Power of Attorne
y
H
SIGNATURE OF TREATING PHYSICIAN / ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE / PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
My signature below indicates that I or my designee have discussed with the patient or patient’s representative the
patient’s goals and treatment options available to the patient based on the patient’s health. My signature below
indicates to the best of my knowledge that these orders are consistent with the patient’s current medical condition
and preferences.
Signature of Treating Physician / APRN / PA
(required by statute)
Print Treating Physician / APRN / PA Name
(required by statute)
Date (required by statute)
(mm/dd/yyyy)
Physician / APRN / PA office telephone number
(required by statute)
Physician / APRN / PA License Number
(required by statute)
Health Care Professional preparing form
if other than the physician / APRN / PA
I
APPOINTMENT OF HEALTH CARE REPRESENTATIVE: As patient you have the option to appoint an individual to
serve as your health care representative pursuant to IC 16-36-1-7. You are not required to designate a health
care representative for this POST form to be effective. You are encouraged to consult with your attorney or other
qualified individual about advance directives that are available to you. Forms and additional information about
advance directives may be found on the ISDH web site at http://www.in.gov/isdh/25880.htm.