I believe the purpose of the panel was to look at the role of finishes in infection control, including having an experienced voice regarding the use of antimicrobial surfaces. I’ll point to the summary slide of the antimicrobial presentation which outlines the benefit of the strategy of antimicrobial surfaces in general.
It is an oversimplification to look at the problem of infection control and ask for a single “most effective” compound or ingredient and assume that material will solve all problems. To truly address the problem of HAI’s we need a collaborative, strategic approach that uses a variety of tools - including the complements of both embedded antimicrobials and liquid disinfectants, as well as good protocols.
And if “most effective” is referring to efficacy, then yes, silver is the most potent active ingredient used in embedded antimicrobial surfaces. Silver is efficacious at around 20 ug/L (ppb), while chemical antimicrobials typically require concentrations in excess of 1000 ug/L (ppm).
