Nursing's role in interdisciplinary accountability for patient outcomes

Few disagree that health care is improved by effective interdisciplinary teamwork. Most nurses are anxious to collaborate with members of other disciplines in the delivery of cost-effective care. Unfortunately, some overly zealous and mistaken proponents of the interdisciplinary approach argue that a disciplinary focus is incongruous with interdisciplinary teamwork. Nurses must resist this notion, work to strengthen the discipline, and gain the tools needed to be visible and accountable. Nursing has an important role in interdisciplinary care, and interdisciplinary teams depend on nurses' contributions to be effective and accountable.