Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment - Patients & Families

Community Pilot

NOTE: MOLST Community Pilot pertains to Monroe and Onondaga Counties only.

In October 2005, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) approved the MOLST form for use in all health care facilities throughout the state. Health care professionals and institutional providers can use the MOLST form as the legal equivalent of an inpatient Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order and to record end-of-life wishes.

The Community Pilot began May 1, 2006.

During the MOLST Community Pilot

Individuals living in Monroe or Onondaga Counties
A completed, signed MOLST form can replace the New York State Department of Health Nonhospital DNR form. EMS can follow Do Not Intubate (DNI) instructions prior to full cardiopulmonary arrest.

Individuals living outside of Monroe and Onondaga Counties
The New York State Department of Health Nonhospital DNR form must be completed in addition to the MOLST. EMS cannot directly follow Do Not Intubate (DNI) instructions prior to full cardiopulmonary arrest. However, EMS can contact medical control as is currently within the scope of practice.

All hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care and hospice agencies and community health care professionals in these two counties are encouraged to participate in the community pilot.

The Monroe and Onondaga Counties MOLST Community Implementation Team was formed to help introduce and oversee the pilot. Team members include representatives from hospitals, long term care facilities, hospice and home care agencies, EMS, NYSDOH Western Region – Rochester and Syracuse offices, local medical societies, and the respective county health departments.

The team is:

1. Helping to introduce and oversee the pilot in Monroe and Onondaga Counties.
2. Assuring adequate training and utilization of MOLST.
3. Collecting and reviewing quality data.
4. Developing a system that assures that the form and program are appropriately used as the project moves beyond the pilot phase.
   

Special thanks to the members of the Monroe and Onondaga Counties MOLST Community Implementation Team.