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Abstract
The Oregon POLST Registry was created to provide 24/7 access to patients’ medical orders when the original POLST form cannot be located during an emergency. This study evaluated whether patients with forms in the Registry were ever missed during calls, assessed the feasibility of an alternative matching model, and validated the current matching algorithm. Among 180 cases, three additional matches were identified beyond those originally recognized. The existing algorithm demonstrated high sensitivity and perfect specificity, and no model outperformed it. Standardizing search procedures—especially using last name, date of birth, Social Security number, and POLST ID—may further improve accuracy and support adoption of similar registries in other states.