A health care power of attorney and a medical order can have different functions and execution requirements. The statutory health-care power-of-attorney form lets a person name an agent to make health-care decisions when the person cannot make or communicate them.

Do not treat the documents as interchangeable

  • A health care power of attorney names an agent and has statutory witness and notarization requirements
  • A portable DNR or MOST is an optional medical order authorized under a separate statute
  • The official MOST form includes options and review information, and may affect conflicting directions while it is in effect
  • A document’s effect depends on its contents, execution, communication, and the circumstances

This is general North Carolina information, not medical or legal advice. For a current document or clinical decision, ask the treating team and an appropriate licensed professional to explain the options.

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