Nosocomial ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae may be resistant to the bactericidal activity of all cephalosporins and cephamycins. Such isolates appear susceptible to cephalosporins other than ceftazidime by routine disc diffusion testing. Ineffective therapy, delayed detection of resistance, and epidemic spread are potential consequences. Imipenem provides consistent bactericidal activity. Ceftazidime restriction and barrier precautions for colonized and infected patients are effective control measures.

Complications occur frequently among cancer patients with PICCs, and long-term follow-up is onerous. Despite a high complication rate, the ease of insertion and removal argues for continued PICC use in the cancer population.

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Blood transfusion and obesity should be considered individual risk factors for the development of wound infection in patients having orthopaedic oncologic procedures.