与医院通常使用的环境空气系统相比，医院手术室中使用的层流空气系统具有一定的专业性，不仅因为其假定的降低感染率的能力，而且该系统的选择过程也不同。通常，这是医院的整形外科医生；倡导和推广层流气流系统使用的员工。他们的目标是降低感染率。调查显示，医学界对手术室层流作为一种可行的感染控制手段的使用和价值存在分歧。尽管在60年代末和70年代初，这些系统的选择和安装在现有医院和新医院激增，但它们的普及率从未描述过平稳上升的趋势曲线。事实上，他们目前可能已接近人气的最低点。 出于这些和其他原因，重新评估手术中层流气流的使用似乎是顺理成章的。引文:俄亥俄州辛辛那提ASHRAE学报第87卷第2部分研讨会

Laminar air flow as used in hospital operating rooms is somewhat specialized when compared to environmental air systems normally found in hospitals, not only for its presumed ability to reduce infection rates, but additionally the selection process for this system is different. Often, it is the orthopedic surgeons on a hospital;s staff who advocate and promote the use of laminar air flow systems. Their goal in this endeavor is reduced infection rates.Investigation reveals that the medical profession is divided aver the use and value of laminar air flow in operating rooms as a viable means of infection control. Although the selection and installation of these systems proliferated in both existing and new hospitals during the late 60's and early 70's, their popularity never described a smoothly ascending trend curve. In fact,they may presently be near the bottom of their popularity. For these and other reasons, a re-evaluation of the use of laminar air flow in surgeries appears in order.