Dr. Christiane Farazli, an Ottawa gastroenterologist whose lax infection practices ignited a hepatitis and HIV scare, is suing the Ottawa Hospital. CBC

An Ottawa doctor whose allegedly lax infection prevention practices led to a hepatitis and HIV scare is in the midst of a lawsuit against the Ottawa Hospital.

Court documents show Dr. Christiane Farazli and her husband filed a lawsuit in 2009 suing two doctors, a nurse and the Ottawa Hospital for more than $3 million for negligence relating to the care of the doctor's back injury.

Farazli's statement of claim is accusing the hospital of not diagnosing her back injury properly after visits to the Ottawa Hospital's Civic campus. She lists her injuries as:

• Spinal fractures.
• Chronic back pain.
• Neurological damage.
• Restricted lumbar mobility.
• Restricted mobility in lower limbs.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) revealed Monday Farazli, a gastroenterologist who runs a private clinic located at 1081 Carling Ave., Suite 606, had "not always followed" cleaning protocols surrounding endoscopies, a procedure in which a medical instrument is used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body.

Patients have received warning letters

The concerns arose following an inspection by the College of Physicians and Surgeons and a local investigation by OPH starting in June.

Also on Monday, registered letters were sent to about 6,800 patients who underwent the procedure at the clinic between April 2002 and June 2011. In the letter, they are told to get checked for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Farazli's statement of claim also says she relies on medication to manage her chronic symptoms. It also said she experiences "significant" pain and "residual disability" that are permanent.

Ottawa Chief Medical Officer Dr. Isra Levy announced Monday patients of Dr. Christiane Farazli were to receive letters advising them to be checked for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. (CBC)

"Her working hours have been greatly reduced because of her daily symptoms, which are aggravated by many of her duties including prolonged sitting, standing and bending," it reads.

Farazli, now 61, first suffered her injury in December 2007 and made more than 10 visits to the hospital within two months. She claims, in that time, the hospital staff was "incompetent" and forced her to attend rehab for two months.

Stephanie Fortunato, one of Farazli's patients, told CBC News Tuesday Farazli had mobility issues and had to perform endoscopies while sitting down.

Documents also show Farazli has launched at least two previous lawsuits against the Ottawa Hospital.