GRAND FORKS (AP) - A judge has temporarily stopped Altru Health System from limiting the hospital privileges of a local doctor with an independent practice at competitor Aurora Medical Park.

Dr. Khaled Rabadi, a former Altru physician, has sued Altru for breach of contract, seeking unspecified damages. A hearing is set for June 2.

Rabadi received a letter from Altru about two weeks ago saying his Altru outpatient privileges had been revoked as a result of Rabadi opening Aurora Dialysis at the Aurora Medical Park in April.

"The letter and decision itself does not serve patients," Rabadi said. "It also takes away from patients' rights."

Altru officials said in a statement that the letter sent to Rabadi referred to restricting his outpatient privileges after he opened his own clinic "and should no longer need access to these services at Altru." Altru said the letter did not seek to restrict Rabadi's access to inpatient services for patients admitted to Altru.

"We believe we're on strong legal ground," said Dennis Reisnour, Altru's administrative director of corporate development. "We do believe we are following our own bylaws. The courts will look at it."

Rabadi's court filing says Altru's bylaws allow for limited or halted access to hospital facilities and equipment only in cases of quality of care or competency issues.