Does the MOLST carry more weight in the field than the Living Will?
Yes. The Living Will and the MOLST form are different documents used for different purposes based on the patient’s condition and circumstances. That being said, a living will is a statement of the patient’s desires or intentions regarding treatment or resuscitation. New York State courts have ruled that if a living will provides clear and convincing evidence of the patient’s intentions, it may be followed. There is no standard living will form. Pre-hospital EMS personnel have no way to determine whether a living will provides clear and convincing evidence, but rather should follow their normal treatment protocols, notify medical control of its existence and bring it with the patient to the hospital. The MOLST contains medical orders that are followed by EMS personnel in the pre-hospital setting. Medical orders carry more weight in the field as medical orders are precise while the Living Will is ambiguous and cannot be easily interpreted most of the time, especially in an emergency. The
