Clarifying autonomy and accountability in nursing service: part 2.

How can a nursing service convincingly argue for autonomy and accountability without an understanding of the precise meanings of these terms? In this second of two articles exploring the meanings and implications of autonomy and accountability in nursing service, Lewis and Batey arrive at this and other provocative questions. They analyze the concept of accountability and provide selected definitions of the concept by directors of nursing. Their discussion provides insights into the presence or absence of true accountability in nursing organizations and presents issues for further study.