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The distinguishing feature that highlights why POLST is recognized as a signed medical order by a provider lies in its formal structure and intended use. POLST forms are specifically developed to communicate a patient's preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments in a medical context. Unlike a living will, which primarily expresses a person's wishes about treatment decisions in the future but may not carry the same immediacy in critical care situations, POLST is designed to be actionable and is honored by healthcare providers immediately upon presentation.

This formal medical order is completed and signed by a healthcare professional, ensuring it has the authority to direct healthcare teams in emergencies. The existence of this official signature also ensures clarity and reduces ambiguity when it comes to implementing the patient's wishes in urgent care settings, thus enhancing the document's effectiveness in guiding medical decisions.

In contrast to POLST, a living will does not require a provider's involvement in its creation, mainly serving as a declaration of the patient's wishes without the same level of immediacy for health professionals to act upon. This reflects a fundamental difference in how these documents are utilized within the healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of POLST in immediate clinical scenarios.