[Evaluation of nursing care in patients with myasthenia gravis].

A retrospective study was made of 35 periods of hospital admission between January 1985 and September 1995, of 17 patients diagnosed in the Hospital Josep Trueta, Girona, as having myasthenia gravis. These were all the patients diagnosed as having myasthenia gravis in this ten year period. We studied the characteristics of their stay in hospital and evaluated the planning and practice of nursing care during these 35 periods. Nursing problems or diagnostic difficulties were found on 15 occasions, probably due to lack of knowledge of myasthenia gravis. When a patient had dysphagia, nursing care was increased and any problems identified. 29.4% of the patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. Since this disorder may be very serious, we consider that special training should be given to the nurses attending these patients. An understanding of this disorder and the possible treatments, complications, drugs, etc. would make it possible to give specific, individualized attention which would result in a higher standard of care.