MOLST

abbreviation or noun

ˈmōlst 

plural MOLSTs

: a medical form that outlines the wishes of a person with a usually serious, progressive health condition regarding life-sustaining measures and end-of-life care (such as life support, palliative care, or CPR), and that must be signed by an authorized health-care professional (such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) : polst

Those of advanced age, the terminally ill, and those with painful, chronic conditions may also consider establishing Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment ("MOLST") in addition to a health care proxy. A MOLST is a form, usually printed on bright pink paper, that contains actionable medical orders that are effective immediately based upon your current medical condition.

—Gina M. Barry

MOLSTs … are … filled out by a health care provider based on a patient's wishes regarding issues such as artificial feeding, ventilators and cardiac resuscitation.

—Amy Neff Roth

compare advance directive, dnr entry 2

Word History

Etymology

Medical Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment

First Known Use

2004, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

MOLST

abbreviation or noun

ˈmōlst 

: a medical form that outlines the wishes of a person with a usually serious, progressive health condition regarding life-sustaining measures and end-of-life care (such as life support, palliative care, or CPR), and that must be signed by an authorized health-care professional (such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) : polst

One approach to EOL [=end-of-life] care planning is the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). … The purpose of the MOLST is to communicate life-sustaining treatment preferences of patients with advanced illnesses across care settings, so that those practices may be honored at the appropriate time and location.

—Kathrin Boerner et al., Geriatric Nursing

compare advance directive, dnr entry 2