BACKGROUND: Hand sepsis is a common cause of morbidity. The study was conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, investigating the bacteriological profile and aetiology of hand sepsis, aiming at optimising empiric antibiotic therapy METHODS: This is a descriptive study of 120 patients who presented to the plastic surgery department of Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital with hand sepsis, from January 2017 to April 2019, that required surgical drainage. Data recorded included: aetiology of sepsis, underlying comorbidities, length of hospital stay, and outcome. A pus swab was taken during surgical drainage for microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MCS) analysis. The relationship between clinical factors and microbiological findings was analysed RESULTS: The predominant bacterial strains cultured from infected patients, excluding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were Staphylococcus aureus (80.8%) and Streptococcus spp. (20.0%), mostly due to spontaneous onset infection (58.3%). Cultures of the more problematic Streptococcus spp. were more frequently associated in patients with diabetes mellitus (60.0%), penetrating trauma (41.9%), or blunt trauma (31.3%). The diabetes group in isolation had the longest median hospital stay of 8 (5-15) days, the most need for multiple procedures (60.0%), amputations (30.0%), and skin grafts (20.0%). The most effective antimicrobial drug particularly in mixed cultures was amoxicillin-clavulanic acid CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus aureus infection was the most common. Streptococcus spp. occurred more frequently in patients with traumatic injury and diabetes mellitus. The latter required further surgical procedures and an increased hospital stay. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is the preferred empiric antimicrobial agent Keywords: hand sepsis, bacteriology, optimising empiric antibiotic therapy

The caring is a very important aspect for every child's well-being and development. A child should be cared for by biological parents or extended family members when possible. In the absence of these two possibilities, other options are in place such as Residential Child Care Facilities (RCCFs). However, RCCFs are generally regarded as last resorts, as it is noted that they have a negative impact on the well-being of the children. Caregivers in RCCFs should ensure that these children are being adequately cared for as they substitute their biological or extended families. It is also a child's rights to be provided love, care and support coupled with a sense of belonging, recognition and independence. However, children without or inadequate parental care are likely to be vulnerable from all forms of violence. The aim of this qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual and phenomenological study was to explore and describe the children's experiences regarding the care received at the Residential Child Care Facilities and to provide recommendations regarding research findings. Data were collected through one on one in-depth interviews and Tech method was used to analyze data. The results of the study show that children in RCCFs have experienced both positive and negative care. The care is experienced through relationships with staff in the facilities, provision of their basic needs, knowledge of their cultural identity and their adult future preparation once they leave the facilities. Thus, it is recommended that a conducive environment that contributes to the quality of care for children in RCCFs be established, taking into consideration human resources capacity, policy guidelines and standards in place while providing care to those children.