Pre-op screening ....

There should be an algorithm based on what type of surgery & what is needed (pre op tests, labs, etc). Are you working with patients as a pre op nurse right before surgery or a few days prior? We have separate nurses that go over charts and tests in pre testing and then we as pre op nurses we are the final stop before the actual OR. The job responsibilities are different so if you told me that I could better answer your question.

A few days prior. No direct pt contact, mostly over the phone work.

Oh okay. We have a department that does that but the patients come in. I would imagine over the phone it would be patient education. Making sure they know when to arrive, what to expect, that they will need a driver if it's outpatient, not to eat. You would not believe how many people like to eat before surgery and then claim NO ONE told them. Ditto with the driver thing for smaller procedures that don't get admitted.

Patients also need education about which medications to continue to take & what to stop (ex: plavix).

I would also imagine trying to ascertain if anything unusual is going on that could effect whether or not they can still have surgery. We have had people before come in with active infections for example. Hope some of that helps!

There really should be a checklist or "script" for you to follow.

If there isnt, your facility should fix that .

As others have said, you will receive a list of questions to ask and instructions to give.