In an era where equitable access to advanced medical care remains a challenge—particularly in rural and underserved areas—the hub-and-spoke model has emerged as a powerful and sustainable solution.
At CardiaSpace®, we’ve embraced and refined this model to deliver high-quality, subspecialty cardiac imaging services—such as cardiac MRI and coronary CTA—to remote communities that would otherwise lack access to this level of care.
Bridging the Gap in Cardiac Imaging Access
Advanced cardiac imaging is a cornerstone of modern cardiovascular care. Modalities like cardiac CT and MRI offer unparalleled insights, allowing early detection of ischemia, cardiomyopathies, congenital abnormalities, and more.
Unfortunately, access to these technologies—and the subspecialists required to interpret them—is concentrated in major urban academic centers.
Most community hospitals and regional systems lack the patient volume, specialized staff, or infrastructure to offer these services on their own. This creates delays in diagnosis, increases unnecessary transfers, and drives up healthcare costs.
The hub-and-spoke model solves this by centralizing expertise in a “hub” that remotely supports multiple “spoke” locations—bringing care to patients where they live.
How CardiaSpace® Implements the Hub-and-Spoke Model
At CardiaSpace®, we operate as a centralized reading and support hub, staffed by board-certified cardiologists with deep expertise in cardiac imaging.
We are digitally connected to a growing network of community hospitals, rural clinics, and outpatient imaging centers across the U.S.
Each spoke site acquires high-quality cardiac imaging studies using local staff and equipment—often with protocols we help develop and standardize. The studies are securely transmitted to our reading center, where our cardiologists deliver fast, detailed interpretations.
This allows facilities to offer world-class cardiac imaging without needing full-time cardiac imaging specialists on-site.
Benefits for Patients, Providers, and Health Systems
The hub-and-spoke model offers wide-ranging benefits:
- Improved Access & Equity:
Patients in rural and underserved areas receive expert imaging interpretations without traveling to tertiary centers.
- Lower Costs for Facilities:
Hospitals can offer advanced services without hiring full-time imaging cardiologists or investing heavily in training.
- Consistent Quality:
Our centralized oversight ensures standardized protocols and expert interpretation, improving diagnostic accuracy.
- Rapid Turnaround:
With 24/7 coverage, CardiaSpace® delivers timely reports—often within hours—enhancing care coordination and treatment decisions.
Scaling the Future of Cardiac Imaging
Cardiovascular disease remains the #1 cause of death in the U.S. To close the care gap, we must rethink how we deliver services—especially to patients outside of major metro areas.
The hub-and-spoke model is not just a logistics strategy—it’s a commitment to equity, efficiency, and excellence.
At CardiaSpace®, we are proud to lead this transformation. By combining cutting-edge technology, deep clinical expertise, and collaborative partnerships, we are proving that location should never be a barrier to life-saving diagnostics.
Final Thoughts
Expanding access to advanced cardiac imaging is not only a technical challenge—it’s a moral imperative.
Whether you’re an administrator at a critical access hospital or a provider at an outpatient imaging center, partnering with CardiaSpace® means bringing world-class cardiac care directly to your patients.
Ready to Expand Your Cardiac Imaging Capabilities?
Contact us at in**@*********ce.com to learn how we can support your facility.