Figure 1.
Various forms of regionalization systems. Squares represent central, specialty hospitals, while the triangles represent non-specialty hospitals. Arrows represent the direction of patients within the system. The spoke-and-hub system and the web system are characterized by a specialty center that manages patients referred by outlying non-specialty hospitals. The degree of coordination between the two types of hospitals distinguishes between these two systems. The mini-hub model is characterized by an expansion of specialty hospitals that have differing degrees of interaction with the transport system, non-specialty hospitals, and with other specialty hospitals. The integrated web approach is characterized by seamless communication and coordination between specialty and non-specialty hospitals.