論長期照護人員於老人福利機構之法律責任—－以「老人跌倒事件」為例

The Legal Duties of Long-Term Care Providers in Long-Term Care Institutions Using the Example of Fall Accidents Among Elderly Patients

老人福利機構中老人發生跌倒意外，可能肇因於老人福利機構負責人未依「老人福利法」或「老人福利機構設立標準」規定管理機構，造成機構硬體設施缺失或護理人力不足而致老人跌倒，亦可能肇因於護理師疏於老人照護而致老人跌倒。執行業務之人於執業上有其應克盡之注意義務，若未克盡注意義務，致人於死或傷害，可能觸犯業務過失致死罪或致傷害罪。為協助長期照護人員（機構負責人與護理師）了解其執業上之注意義務，本文淺介（1）老人福利法與老人福利機構設立標準，並（2）以三則長期照護人員觸犯業務過失致死罪或致傷害罪之判決為例，說明長期照護人員於照護老人過程之注意義務。藉此，希冀長期照護人員得以掌握及克盡執業上之注意義務，避免因過失而致人於死或傷害之憾事發生，以保障老人之權益。

Two reasons may explain a majority of neglect-related falls that are experienced by the elderly living in senior welfare institutions. Firstly, the supervisors may not manage these institutions in accordance with the law or with the Senior Citizens Welfare Act and the Establishment Standards of Senior Citizens' Welfare Institutions. This situation may compromise the facilities and nursing manpower of these institutions. Secondly, nurses may be negligent in their care of the elderly. Healthcare professionals are responsible to implement their care duties. Failure to implement these duties that result in care-recipient injury or death will expose these professionals to charges of negligent homicide or negligent assault. In order to help supervisors and nurses who work in senior welfare institutions better understand their care duties, the present article introduces relevant laws and regulations, including the Senior Citizens Welfare Act and the Establishment Standards of Senior Citizens' Welfare Institutions. In addition, we introduce three judicial decisions that highlight the domestic judicial practice related to the care duties of long-term care providers. As a result, we hope that long-term care providers may better implement their duties properly and thus avoid negligent harm to those in their care and help better protect and promote the rights and welfare of the elderly.