The National POLST Collaborative (NPC), informed EPIC users of a change made to their system where they incorporated the National POLST model form into the platform in a February 15, 2024, newsletter. This was done without permission or consultation from NPC. Due to differing state laws, only state developed forms should be used. If your health system uses EPIC, please review this addition to the platform. South Dakota Codified Law 34-12H-1 through 34-12H-12 speaks to our MOST document, which is the form to be used in South Dakota. Here is a link to more educational information and the SD MOST form. Below is the content of NPC’s official letter:
NPC Position on the National POLST Form in EPIC
The National POLST Collaborative (NPC) has recently been made aware of activity within the EPIC foundation platform incorporating the National POLST model form. This has been done without permission, input or approval of NPC.
As our members and other state programs are aware, each state has their own laws, regulations and language governing the validity of POLST (and other named order sets) as actionable, portable medical orders. The National POLST document is a model form that must be adapted or adopted by each individual state for use and must include the state-designated name or acronym (e.g., POLST, MOLST, POST, MOST, T-POPP, LaPOST).
We are attempting to work with EPIC to discuss further steps to rectify this problem. In the meantime, we recommend states communicate with their providers and health systems that only state-developed and approved forms are valid, and that utilizing the generic National POLST model form may jeopardize patient care if implemented. We plan to work on this issue and will provide more clarification and guidance soon. Link to the official letter.
