Occupational Health Nursing Care for a Patient with Fall-from-Height Injury and Patellar Fracture Before Returning to Work: A Case Study at Sakon Nakhon Hospital.

Abstract

     This occupational health nursing study focuses on a case of falling from height with patellar fracture. This study examines occupational health nursing care for a 38-year-old Thai male who had worked as an electrical technician at a factory for 7 years. The patient was admitted to the hospital after falling from a height of 4 meters while removing an old power transformer. He was diagnosed with an open fracture of the left patella and underwent surgery. During treatment, complications from infection occurred, requiring complex care and extended recovery time. The study applied Sister Callista Roy's Adaptation Model, with a total treatment period of 6 months.
     The methodology involved data collection while providing care and analysing patient medical records according to return-to-work care principles, establishing nursing diagnoses, specifying nursing activities, and evaluating outcomes following the nursing process.

The study results found that this case had complex care needs, ranging from coordination to receive compensation from the Workmen's Compensation Fund, physical rehabilitation care from related multidisciplinary professionals, and coordination with employers and supervisors. This case received compensation for being off work for a total of 6 months and was able to return to work in the same position, with work characteristics adjusted and restrictions on being able to climb to heights.