Ethics: Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) – Doing it Right

December 14, 2023

This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of POLST to provide learners with a better understanding of its purpose, when it is appropriate to utilize a POLST and how a POLST differs from an advance directive. Finally, we will utilize cases to empower learners to have effective conversations with members to support better-informed decision-making for patients and families and promote better conversation with their healthcare provider.

Target Audience

ISD Clinical Staff

Learning Objectives

  1. Define the role of POLST in advance care planning
  2. Apply tools and resources to enhance skill and comfort when engaging in goals-of-care discussions
  3. Integrate understanding of the role of the surrogate in POLST decision-making
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 2.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 2.00 ASWB
  • 2.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
11/03/2023
Course expires: 
01/12/2024
Event starts: 
12/14/2023 - 9:00am EST
Event ends: 
12/14/2023 - 11:00am EST
Add to calendar: 

Program begins at 9:00am and ends at 11:00am.  Total Education Time = 2 Hour(s)

TIME

CONTENT

PRESENTER

9:00 – 9:40 am

Introduction and review of the role of POLST in advance care planning.

Judith S. Black, MD, MHA

9:40 -10:20 am

Overview of the tools and resources to enhance skill and comfort when engaging in goals of care discussions.

Judith S. Black, MD, MHA

10:20 – 11:00 am

Discuss the role of the surrogate in POLST decision-making.

Judith S. Black, MD, MHA

UPMC Health Plan
U.S. Steel Building
600 Grant Street
Pittsburgh 15219
United States

Judith S. Black, MD, MHA

Judith Black is a geriatrician who retired from clinical practice in the fall of 2019. From 1998 to 2015, she was the Medical Director for Senior Markets at Highmark, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association where she provided the medical expertise and leadership that helped Highmark enhance and coordinate the care of older adults. She presently serves as a Medical Advisor for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and an emeritus geriatrician for the Allegheny Health Network. Dr. Black brings 45 years of medical experience to her position and also holds a master's degree in health administration. She serves as a faculty member of the Consortium Ethics Program and is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. She serves as a leader for National POLST and is past chair of the Plenary Assembly and chair of the  Program Assistance Committee for National POLST. Dr. Black works collaboratively with numerous organizations and is recognized locally, within Pennsylvania and nationally for her advocacy on behalf on the senior population and for improving end of life care.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 2 contact hour(s).

This activity is eligible for endorsed credit for UPMC Health Plan EMTs and Paramedics.  Complete ETHOS course work, obtain the attendance certificate, and submit to EMS governing body for 2 CE credit(s).

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 2 continuing education credit(s).

**CCM and Pharmacy CE are not offered with this educational activity.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

NOTE:  Paramedic/EMT CE is approved for any activity in which ANCC (nursing CE) is approved.  This is per Heather Bogdon and Christie Hempfling

Available Credit

  • 2.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 2.00 ASWB
  • 2.00 Attendance
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