On Monday morning, after my parastomal hernia repair surgery and being placed in PACU, I struggled with my urostomy pouch system staying attached to the skin after being placed directly on top of my hernia replacement surgery incision. It wasn't long before the pouch's barrier seal broke, the leak began, and blood began to exit from under the pouch system. The PACU nurses immediately called the wound care ostomy nurse team, and within a few minutes, Leslie was bedside and began doing what, for two days, I believe was unbelievable bedside care, teaching with a calming and direct approach, and especially the Advocacy for my safety and care that I received directly from Leslie.

Leslie took her advocacy and patient care to an extremely high degree through her commitment to the performance of her nursing duties specific to ostomy care. I had indicated to PACU staff that I was going to spend the night, and I believe that had been set until PACU nurses got the orders from the doctor that I was to be discharged. I insisted that the doctor come and talk with me. She came into PACU, and I internalized and believed as though the surgeon was not fully hearing my concerns or taking time to physically assess what I was explaining. It didn’t take long for the second change in pouching systems to occur after another seal break, when Leslie took it deeply in her care to document in her clinical notes that I needed to be admitted for bedside care on the floor to address the bleeding and the difficulty with the system adhering to the skin. This level of advocacy is something I had never experienced from a nurse before. I had a buddy with me that morning for surgery, and by the time the doctor came in, he and I were both furious, but I was not strong enough to stand up to what I consider abuse by the surgeon. Leslie made the second change since surgery while I lay in PACU and then advocated directly for me in terms of what I was experiencing and what I would experience if I went home in her online clinical notes. It is hard for me to imagine this happening to someone like me.

Leslie not only did the physical change of systems on top of the incision, but she also taught me through every step as to what she was seeing, what she was doing, why, and how I would do something similar when I was discharged. I was extremely fortunate that with my buddy sitting in the PACU bay with me, Leslie worked with both of us, talked with us, showed us, taught us, and never once talked at me or made me feel that I was making mistakes by wanting to stay in the hospital to get this worked out.

I believe patient advocacy is a single component of what I experienced that I didn't even know would or could happen. Knowing that I had a friend with me through the entire process, he was included in the experience and made what I ended up having to do once I was discharged the next day a little less stressful.

Understanding the fast-paced ED environment, Leslie went a step further by creating simple laminated visual guides and QR codes to assist emergency department staff when patients presented with ostomy-related needs. She personally provided education to ED staff, reviewing the contents of the donation kits and ensuring staff felt confident supporting this patient population.

Leslie made a total of three pouch system changes as I lay in the PACU. I had been transported, and it didn't take long before Leslie had to be called to change the system again. Leslie took it upon herself to type out every step she made and each change of systems so that my home health nurse knew exactly what was going on. Her ability as a nurse is unquestionable, and I have a direct understanding of what that care looked like and felt like. It was her unwavering commitment to advocacy on my behalf and the inclusion of my buddy and all that we were doing that made a major difference in my OU Wexner Medical Center EAST surgical experience. It was Leslie who made my entire experience turn around and, with it, become a positive outcome. I was discharged the next day to home, even after having had the system changed three times during the night and once during the morning while I lay in bed.

I am still in total awe of the care, concern, and teaching, all with a personalized approach, that I received from Leslie. I believe bedside care nursing is much harder than many people would ever think, and to know that I was given the care that I was given both in PACU and on the floor still seems unbelievable to me. Without any second thought, it is totally appropriate for Leslie to be rewarded with a DAISY Award and the recognition that she deserves so much.
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I am honored to nominate Leslie Comston, BSN, RN, WCC, OMS, for the DAISY Award for her exceptional advocacy, innovation, and unwavering compassion for patients living with ostomies.

Through her clinical practice, Leslie observed a concerning and recurring pattern: individuals with ostomies were frequently presenting to the emergency department and often being admitted—not due to acute medical crises, but because of a lack of appropriate ostomy supplies and significant peristomal skin injury. These injuries were commonly the result of ill-fitting appliances and the use of unsafe, homemade pouching solutions. Recognizing the preventable nature of these visits, Leslie took action.

Leveraging evidence-based practice recommendations, Leslie identified strategies to better support ostomy patients at the point of care. She found compelling evidence supporting an emergency department–based program to stock essential ostomy supplies for patients in immediate need. This work was grounded in the Ostomy Incontinent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights, which states that individuals with ostomies should have access to ongoing care and support throughout their lifetime, including reevaluation of ostomy management supplies following changes in medical condition, aging, and socioeconomic status.

Leslie brought her findings forward and contacted the Director of Critical Care Nursing, who was highly supportive of the proposed program. Leslie then reached out to medical supply representatives and successfully secured donated ostomy supplies. She organized these donations into ready-to-use kits to be stored in the emergency department for immediate patient access.

Demonstrating extraordinary personal commitment, Leslie also purchased waterproof supply bags online using her own funds. Each kit included clear instructions on how patients could enroll in financial assistance programs for ostomy supplies, as well as information on obtaining free samples from multiple ostomy companies.

As a result of Leslie’s dedication, innovation, and compassion, this effort has significantly reduced unnecessary hospital admissions while providing patients with the dignity, resources, and support they desperately need during vulnerable moments.

Leslie Comston exemplifies the very essence of the DAISY Foundation’s mission. Her actions reflect not only clinical excellence but profound compassion, advocacy, and leadership. It is with deep respect and gratitude that I submit this nomination in recognition of her extraordinary impact on patients, families, and the healthcare community.