Updated September, 2025.

***NOTE: In a memo dated 5/1/23, CMS discontinued the requirement for FIC surveys in FFY24, so they have not been required or completed. This indicator will be replaced for future reporting.

From the memo:

Focused Infection Control (FIC) Surveys

• In QSO-20-31-All States are required to conduct FIC surveys in 20% of their nursing

homes in fiscal year 2023. They are not required to conduct additional FIC surveys in

fiscal year 2024. CMS will continue to make the FIC survey available for states to use at

their discretion (e.g., to conduct complaint surveys when concerns related to COVID-19

infection control arise)

Background: Starting in FY 2021, CMS requires State survey agencies to perform annual Focused Infection Control (FIC) surveys of twenty percent (20%) of Vermont nursing homes based on State discretion or additional data that identifies facility and community risks.  To count toward the required 20%, these FIC surveys must be stand-alone surveys not associated with a recertification survey.

Vermont nursing homes, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Prioritizing on-site Focused Infection Control (FIC) surveys where three (3) or more new COVID-19 confirmed cases have occurred since the previous National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 report, or 1 confirmed resident case has occurred in a facility that was previously COVID-free.  Additional FIC surveys will be conducted to maintain a minimum baseline of twenty percent annual FIC surveys of all Vermont nursing homes. 

DAIL Division of Licensing and Proteciton will conduct additional FIC surveys to ensure a minimum annual baseline in 20 percent of Vermont nursing homes.