What is the difference between a MOST and an advance directive?
Advance directives such as Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney are legal instruments executed by individuals that require witnesses and notarization. When a patient is no longer capable of making or communicating decisions, advance directives inform physicians and other health care providers about the level and type of care desired by the patient in certain end-of-life situations, or, in the case of a Health Care Power of Attorney, who can make certain decisions on behalf of the patient. In order to carry out a patient s wishes about the level of care desired, however, a physician or medical order is needed. The MOST is a medical order issued by a physician (MD, DO), physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The informed consent of the patient or the appropriate patient representative is needed for a MOST to be issued. Unlike an advance directive, a MOST is always completed in consultation with a qualified health care professional who is able to provide information to the
