DMOST and Advance Directives

Does a DMOST form replace the Advance Directive?

The DMOST form complements the Advance Directive and is not intended to replace it.

An Advance Directive is necessary to appoint a legal health care representative and provide instructions for future life-sustaining treatments. The Advance Directive is recommended for all adults, regardless of their health status.

A DMOST form should accompany an Advance Directive when appropriate. For more information go to: www.caringinfo.org.

Delaware Advance Directive: English | Spanish

What are the primary differences between an Advance Directive and a DMOST form?

	Advance Directive	DMOST
Who has one?	Anyone over 18	People with less than 1 year to live
Where is it stored?	With other legal documents	In a pink envelope, kept with the patient at all times
What is it for?	Future care	Current care
Form is	A legal document: must be translated to medical orders before it can be honored	Medical Orders: honored in all medical institutions, clinics, ambulances, etc. in the state of Delaware
Can it be changed?	Yes – with a lawyer	Yes – with a physician
Authorized Representative	Cannot change anything	May make changes if patient has lost capacity

Content modified from polst.org.