Karen M. Fernandes, R.N., CPHQ Karen Fernandes has been a nurse for over forty years and is principal and president of AYR Consulting Group that supports hospitals across the United States in their quest for quality and patient safety along with compliance to Joint Commission Standards and Medicare Regulations. Advocacy for Medical Transitions was just established to serve patients and their families and guide them through the confusing maze of healthcare. She began her nursing career in New England and has held many positions in nursing from Medical/Surgical, Emergency, OB, Nursing Supervisor, Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Quality Management. Prior to establishing a consulting firm, Karen was with Tenet Health System and the Daughters of Charity National Health System now called Ascension. Karen served as chairman of Joint Commission’s Professional Technical Advisory Committee for Hospitals 2001-2003 and served as a member of that committee for six years. She has also been a member of Joint Commission's Hospital Advisory Committee and Nursing Advisory Council. She is currently now on the TJC Consultant’s Forum. Additionally, Karen was a member of the Federation of American Hospitals Quality Committee and served as Chairman of the Quality Committee 2000 - 2003. Karen was also a member of the National Quality Forum on the Consumer Council, Provider Council and Quality Council. Karen presents seminars on Joint Commission survey preparation, readiness/compliance to Joint Commission standards and CMS Conditions of Participation compliance. AYR Consulting Group conducts mock surveys and provides for continued survey readiness for hospitals. Karen speaks at hospital conferences, Medical Staff and Governing Board meetings on attaining Joint Commission standard requirements and maintaining compliance to CMS Conditions of Participation. Advocacy for Medical Transitions was just established as a subsidiary of AYR Consulting Group. Karen is a patient advocate and nurse who is uniquely qualified to provide professional services tailored to specific healthcare concerns. This service will help guide patients and/or their families through the various transitions they may face during a hospitalization, planning for care, discharge to other levels of care or concerns in care. As a volunteer, is an advocate for the DES exposed for over 30 years. Karen served as President of DES Action/USA and as a board member for many years. This was a non-profit organization whose goal is education, advocacy and support of the millions of Americans exposed to the drug Diethylstilbestrol in utero. Currently, Karen is the lead administrator for DES Info. This group provides ongoing information on DES exposure and other health related information for the DES Exposed. Karen has participated in NIH research studies on DES. She also authored a DES Exposure Nursing Curriculum which is available in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Diethylstilbestrol Exposure; Joint Commission Standards, Patient Safety and quality, Medicare regulations