Updated January 12, 2022
A Washington D.C. Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) form is a legal document that allows people to work with physicians to make critical decisions about end-of-life care and ensure that their wishes are respected even if they are no longer conscious. The district once used “Do Not Resuscitate” orders, commonly known as “DNR” forms, but the district eliminated them in favor of MOST forms in 2015. The forms contain corresponding to types of treatment — including CPR, provision of antibiotics, and medically assisted nutrition — in which the patient may select whether the treatment is desired and, if so, the degree of intervention that should be provided; if a section is left blank, medical personnel will assume that the person desires full intervention.
After Completing
When completed, the form should be submitted by email to dc.most@dc.gov. The patient and the patient’s physician should keep copies of the form, and the D.C. Department of Health recommends that the form be printed on bright-colored paper.
Laws
- Statutes – Subchapter II – MOST Form
- Required to Sign – Patient and locally licensed physician