LEWISTON – A state-commissioned report released Tuesday found that a policy restricting outside cardiologists from performing certain procedures at Central Maine Medical Center’s heart center might limit patient choice.

The Lewiston hospital has said it will allow only its own team of doctors to perform angioplasties and heart surgeries at its new cardiology center, which is scheduled to open next spring.

Kevin Concannon, commissioner of the state Department of Human Services, ordered a study of the policy after a dispute erupted between hospital administrators and local cardiologists.

The report, conducted by Public Health Resource Group Inc. of Portland, found that the restrictive policy is rare among community hospitals.

Its authors found that the policy should not have a short-term impact on access to cardiology services, but long-term effects would depend on reaction by local cardiologists, primary care doctors and their patients.

In April, Concannon said the hospital’s policy limits patient choice. He said Tuesday that he will not act immediately on the report’s findings, but may call for a public hearing on the policy.

Chuck Gill, a hospital spokesman, said administrators were still reviewing the report Wednesday and withheld comment.Officials at the Lewiston hospital have said that the restrictive policy will better equip them to control quality of care and maintain patient volumes.

Concannon said Tuesday he hopes to discuss the findings with hospital officials.