Infections involving surgical plates are complex because bacteria can form a protective layer on the metal, making it difficult for antibiotics to penetrate. Since Tazomac (piperacillin/tazobactam) and amikacin have not shown improvement after 15 days, you require an urgent review by your orthopaedic surgeon or an infectious disease specialist. Alternative steps include performing a fluid or tissue culture to identify the exact bacteria and select targeted antibiotics. Additionally, surgical treatments such as thoroughly cleaning the area (debridement) or temporarily removing the plate are often necessary to completely clear the infection. Please contact your surgical team promptly to adjust your treatment plan.