Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment - Professionals
When to Review and Renew a MOLST Form
The entire MOLST form should be reviewed and renewed by a physician periodically as required by New York State and Federal law and regulations, and/or if:
- The patient/resident is transferred from one facility to another.
- There is a substantial change in the patient/resident health status (improvement or deterioration).
- The patient/resident treatment preferences change.
The DNR Order on the MOLST form must be reviewed and renewed by a physician as required by New York State law and regulations:
- Hospital: at least every 7 Days
- Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility: at least every 60 Days
- Nonhospital/Community Setting: at least every 90 Days
Renewal orders must be signed by a New York State licensed physician. The outcome of the review will result in:
- No change
- Changes - Additions only
- FORM VOIDED, new form completed
- FORM VOIDED, no new form
NOTE: This order remains valid and must be followed, even if it has not been reviewed within the appropriate time period. Under New York State law, this order should be considered valid unless it is known that it has been revoked.
Completing a new form is NOT required every time the MOLST form is reviewed and renewed. If an update is needed, it can be recorded in the appropriate section of the form.
It is the responsibility of the physician to determine, within the appropriate period of time, whether the orders contained on the MOLST form continue to be appropriate.
It is the responsibility of the physician to determine, within the appropriate period of time, whether the orders contained on the MOLST form continue to be appropriate.
The physician must document this in the individual’s medical chart and sign the renewal orders located on pages 3 and 4 of the MOLST form.
