PowerShare uses a hub and spoke model to help you securely share medical images across facilities, providers, and patients. This article explains what you can do with each account type.
Understand spoke and hub accounts
A spoke account is best for you if you have basic image sharing needs.
A hub account is best if you need advanced features, automation, and high-volume image exchange.
Image storage and volume
If you use a spoke account:
- You can upload up to 200 studies.
If you use a hub account:
- You can upload higher or unlimited volumes, depending on your setup.
Send images
With a spoke account
You can upload studies directly to hubs without using CDs or VPNs.
You can send images to another spoke (within limits).
You can upload images to your account and share them manually.
With a hub account
You can send images to any hub, spoke, or contact.
You can set up automatic sending rules to streamline workflows.
Receive images
Spoke account capabilities
You can receive images shared by hubs.
You can view, push, or route images to PACS.
You can retrieve images from local PACS or shared archives (with limits).
You can reconcile studies using built-in tools.
Hub account capabilities
You can receive images from hubs and spokes without limits.
You can use Easy Uploader to receive images from external users.
You can set up automatic inbound routing.
You can retrieve and reconcile studies without restrictions.
Share with physicians and patients
Share with physicians
If you use a spoke account:
- You can invite individual physicians and share studies manually.
If you use a hub account:
You can invite and preregister physicians in bulk.
You can enable automatic sharing or routing based on rules.
Share with patients (both account types)
You can invite patients to:
View their images.
Send images to you.
Patient sharing is not limited by volume.
Manage connections
You can:
Send contact requests.
Connect with existing users or new contacts.
System integration
Report integration
With a Spoke account:
- You can attach reports manually.
With a Hub account:
- You can attach reports manually or use HL7 integrations.
PACS integration
With a Spoke account:
You can manually push studies to PACS.
You can edit DICOM headers and reconcile studies.
With a Hub account:
- You can do the same tasks, and also enable automated routing and sharing.
EMR integration
Spoke: Not available
Hub:
You can automate order creation.
You can search and upload studies directly within your EMR.
Single sign-on (SSO)
- You can use SSO with both Spoke and Hub accounts.
Training and support
You can access in-app onboarding resources in both account types.
If you use a Hub account, you might also receive additional training for key roles.
Key differences at a glance
| Feature | Spoke | Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Image volume | Limited (up to 200 studies) | Higher or unlimited |
| Sending images | Manual | Manual + automated |
| Receiving images | Limited workflows | Advanced + automated |
| Physician sharing | Individual invite | Bulk + automated |
| Integration | Basic | Advanced (HL7, EMR) |
| Automation | Not available | Supported |
Choose the right account type
Choose a Spoke account if you need simple image sharing with limited volume.
Choose a Hub account if you need:
High-volume image exchange
Automated workflows
Integration with PACS, EMR, and reporting systems
Next up: Connection management in PowerShare Image Sharing
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