Janene – I would suggest reaching out to your malpractice carrier on the first issue. Failure to fully identify/describe any radiopaque objects whether post-surgical or otherwise could have a major impact on risk for the radiologist and the practice. The post-surgical situation could lead to a malpractice claim due to retained sponges, instruments, etc. and then everyone is on the hook.
The second issue I would suggest not pursuing. If the radiologist is dictating what has occurred, then it should be part of the record. Because if the patient has an issue and the ordering physician states they were not contacted, the radiologist has nothing to support their statement that they made multiple attempts without success, then it is the radiologist on the block and not the ordering physician. You should have a follow up process when critical or notable results are not relayed to the ordering physician after multiple phone attempts so that you demonstrate that an attempt was made to close the communication loop in order to provide as much protection to the radiologists as possible......
Those are my thoughts... Hope they help.
Keith E. Chew, MHA, CMPE, FRBMA
Principal
Consulting with Integrity
18 Hawks Nest
Chatham, IL 62629
217-971-5293