Maple Heights: Nurse Told Fallen Resident Stay on Floor - PA
The incident occurred at 4:00 a.m. on August 21, 2025, when the resident stumbled in his bathroom, lost his balance, and was assisted to the floor by nursing staff. A nurse aide witnessed Licensed Practical Nurse 2 tell the fallen resident, "You can fing stay on the floor."
The resident confirmed the abuse during interviews with facility investigators and federal inspectors. He told investigators on August 22 that Licensed Practical Nurse 2 "stated that she should leave me on the fing floor" after his fall. He said he no longer wanted her to provide his care.
During a federal inspection interview on August 27, the resident repeated his account, telling inspectors that the agency nurse had told him "he could lay on the f***ing floor all night" following his bathroom fall.
The facility's interim administrator confirmed to inspectors that the incident had been substantiated. During an August 27 interview, the administrator acknowledged that the resident had fallen and that it was verified that Licensed Practical Nurse 2 had made the profane statement about leaving him on the floor.
Federal inspectors determined the facility failed to protect the resident from verbal abuse, violating regulations requiring nursing homes to keep residents free from all forms of mistreatment.
The resident involved in the incident was cognitively intact and required staff assistance with daily care needs, according to his June 2025 assessment. Medical records showed he had a history of recent falls and lived with diabetes, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
The abuse occurred despite the facility's written policy prohibiting such treatment. Maple Heights' abuse policy, dated December 30, 2024, explicitly stated the facility "will not tolerate abuse, neglect, mistreatment, exploitation of residents, and misappropriation of resident property by anyone."
The policy required staff to investigate "all allegations, suspicions and incidents of abuse, neglect, involuntary seclusion, intimidation, exploitation of residents, misappropriation of resident property and injuries of unknown source."
Licensed Practical Nurse 2 was identified as an agency nurse, meaning she was employed through a temporary staffing company rather than as a direct facility employee.
The incident came to light through the facility's internal investigation process. A nurse aide provided a witness statement on August 22, one day after the fall, documenting what she had heard the licensed practical nurse say to the resident.
The resident also provided his own statement to facility investigators on August 22, describing both the fall and the nurse's response. He specifically told investigators he did not want Licensed Practical Nurse 2 to care for him anymore following her verbal abuse.
Federal inspectors reviewed the facility's policies, clinical records, and investigation documents as part of their complaint investigation. They also conducted interviews with facility staff and the affected resident to verify the incident details.
The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint received about the facility. Inspectors found that one of the 10 residents they reviewed had experienced abuse, resulting in a violation of federal nursing home regulations.
Falls are common among nursing home residents, particularly those with medical conditions like diabetes and seizures that can affect balance and coordination. Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain dignity and respect for all residents, especially during vulnerable moments like medical emergencies.
The verbal abuse occurred during a moment when the resident was physically vulnerable and needed assistance. Rather than providing compassionate care, the licensed practical nurse used profanity to express frustration about helping the fallen resident.
The facility's investigation process appeared to work as intended, with staff members reporting the incident and administrators conducting interviews with witnesses and the affected resident. However, the abuse still occurred despite written policies designed to prevent such treatment.
Agency nursing staff often work at multiple facilities and may receive less facility-specific training about policies and resident care standards. The use of temporary staffing has increased across the nursing home industry, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resident's cognitive status made him a reliable witness to the abuse. His June 2025 assessment confirmed he was mentally intact and able to accurately report what had happened to him during the bathroom fall incident.
Federal inspectors classified the violation as causing "minimal harm or potential for actual harm" and affecting "few" residents. However, verbal abuse can have lasting psychological effects on nursing home residents, who depend on staff for basic care needs.
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of nursing home residents during medical emergencies. When residents fall or experience other health crises, they rely entirely on staff members for assistance and compassionate care.
Licensed practical nurses are required to maintain professional standards even during stressful situations. Using profanity toward residents violates both professional ethics and federal regulations protecting nursing home residents from abuse.
The resident's statement that he no longer wanted Licensed Practical Nurse 2 to provide his care demonstrated the lasting impact of the verbal abuse. Trust between residents and caregivers is essential for quality nursing home care.
Maple Heights Health & Rehab Center operates at 429 Manor Drive in Ebensburg, a small city in central Pennsylvania's Cambria County. The facility provides both short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care services.
The August 27, 2025 inspection was conducted by federal surveyors investigating complaints about resident care. The facility was required to develop a plan of correction addressing how it would prevent similar incidents of verbal abuse.
The resident who experienced the abuse continues to live at the facility, requiring ongoing assistance with his daily care needs while managing diabetes, heart rhythm problems, and seizures that contributed to his fall risk.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Maple Heights Health & Rehab Center, LLC from 2025-08-27 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
Maple Heights Health & Rehab Center, LLC in EBENSBURG, PA was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 27, 2025.
The incident occurred at 4:00 a.m.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.