Why is LaPOST Necessary?

The LaPOST document and model of care were created to effectively communicate the wishes of seriously ill patients to have or to limit medical treatment as they move from one care setting to another (e.g., hospital to home/nursing home/assisted living/home health/hospice and vice versa).
 

Patients have the right to make their own health care decisions. Advance directives can help people communicate their treatment preferences when they would otherwise be unable to make such decisions. In some cases, the wishes expressed by an advance directive may not be honored due to the unavailability of completed forms or a health care professional's inability to quickly translate the language of the document into orders for treatment of specific medical conditions. Health care professionals who care for persons in various settings may in good faith initiate or withhold treatments that are medically not indicated or contrary to the desires of the person. The LaPOST document is designed to help health care professionals honor the treatment wishes of their patients.