The California Department of Health has issued an All Facilities Letter (AFL) regarding the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form and the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 "Section S" for skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and swing bed hospitals. The POLST form is a voluntary document used to record a patient's end-of-life care preferences and is not mandatory. The MDS is a federally mandated clinical assessment process for residents in Medicare or Medicaid-certified nursing homes. The updated MDS 3.0, effective October 1, 2010, includes a mandatory "Section S" for all assessments, which asks if the patient has a POLST form. If the answer is "yes," the remaining POLST questions in "Section S" must be completed. The letter also provides guidance on frequently asked questions about MDS 3.0 and "Section S." Facilities should contact the MDS/OASIS Help Desk for further information or assistance.
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