Notice of Data Incident
August 1, 2023

Dear Patients:
We post this Notice pursuant to the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) to inform you about a data incident involving an unauthorized release of patient Protected Health Information (“PHI”), as that is defined by HIPAA, at Gary Motykie, M.D., a Medical Corporation and Gary Motykie, M.D. (“Practice”), a covered entity under HIPAA.

PHI, as defined by HIPAA, is information that is “created, received, maintained, or transmitted by or on behalf of the health care component of the Covered Entity.” § 164.105 (a)(2)(i)(D). Information that is created or received by a Covered Entity and that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of healthcare to an individual is considered PHI. PHI is required to be protected when transmitted or maintained in any form by a Covered Entity. Individual identifiers (including but not limited to name, address, telephone number, fax, email address, social security number, medical record number, etc.) maintained in a designated record set along with health information (including but not limited to x-rays, images, scans, physician notes, diagnoses, treatment, eligibility approvals, claims, remittances, etc.) are collectively considered PHI.

Event Description:
On or about June 6, 2023, an initial technical analysis of the Practice’s information technology network determined an unauthorized release of PHI occurred to an unknown third party. The initial analysis determined that the unknown third party accessed the Practice’s network. It was further determined that the unknown third party acquired some of the Practice’s patient’s unencrypted PHI and that party was not authorized to do so and did so in an unlawful manner.

The information that may have been accessed or acquired during this unauthorized access included:

  • First and last name 
  • Social Security Number (if provided)
  • Address
  • Driver’s license or identification card number
  • Financial account or payment card number, in combination with any required CVV code
  • Intake forms, which may include medical information and history
  • Images taken in connection with the services rendered at our office
  • Health insurance information (if provided)
Steps Taken to Address:
Upon discovery, the Practice took the following immediate steps to address the situation:
  • Computers and servers replaced
  • Network passwords changed
  • Endpoint detection, virus, and malware detection tools and software installed on workstations and server
  • Limitations concerning Internet access
  • Access controls put in place for users based on role and responsibility
  • Server policies in place
  • Device locking mechanisms
  • Multi factor authentication enabled
  • Network segregation efforts
  • Encryption of devices
  • Additional workforce training
Risk Assessment:

The Practice conducted a risk assessment to evaluate the potential harm to potentially impacted individuals. Based on that assessment, it is determined that there is a high risk of harm. It is essential for potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant in monitoring their personal accounts and data and promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement or their financial institutions.

Assistance and Resources:
Starting on or about June 22, 2023, letters were mailed to patients providing the following resources to assist the potentially impacted individuals, offering at no cost:
  • two (2) years of no cost Triple Bureau Credit Monitoring/Triple Bureau Credit Report/Triple Bureau Credit Score/Cyber Monitoring services.
  • the services also include reviewing whether Information appears on the dark web and alert the individual if such Information is found online.
  • proactive fraud assistance to help with any questions in event a potentially impacted persons becomes a victim of fraud.

Steps to Prevent Future Incidents: We deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this Incident may cause. The Practice is taking numerous steps to help prevent similar Incidents in the future. We will continue to review and enhance our security measures, policies, and employee training.

If you failed to receive your letter in the mail, and/or if there is a concern your mailing address has changed since you were a patient at the Practice, please contact 1-800-405-6108 or call our office immediately at 310-246-2355 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

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Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgery Steps

Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgery StepsMore than five million of breast augmentation plastic surgery procedures have been performed over the last two decades, and it currently ranks as the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US. A number of steps are involved in the breast augmentation procedure, which will be discussed by the surgeon during the pre-operative consultation.

The patient should have a reasonable understanding of the procedure and make informed choices. They should also review procedure related photos or videos, if possible. Dr. Gary Motykie is a leading cosmetic surgeon providing breast augmentation to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Anesthesia

Breast augmentation plastic surgery is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia. IV or inhaled sedatives will be used to place the patient under deep sleep until the surgery is completed. After the procedure is over, the patient will be brought out of the anesthesia.

She will be groggy and tired for a few hours and may experience temporary side effects such as nausea, dizziness, headache, shivering and sore throat. In exceptional cases, the surgeon may use local anesthesia and a conscious sedative to keep the patient awake but relaxed during breast implant procedure.

 

Placing the Incisions

Following anesthesia, the cosmetic surgeon will make an incision either in the breast crease, the armpit, the perimeter of the areola, or the navel. Discreet placement of the incisions is important in order to minimize scarring. The surgeon will discuss about incision placement with the patient during the pre-op consultation when the surgical plan is being finalized.

 

Implant Placement

Breast implants will be placed in the breast pockets created through the incisions. The implants can be positioned in front of the pectoral muscle and directly behind the breast tissue or under the pectoral muscle. The invasiveness of the surgery will vary in both cases, and the surgeon will make an appropriate recommendation based on the patient’s aesthetic preferences and her breast anatomy.

 

Closing the Incisions

Following implant positioning, the surgeon will close the incisions carefully with sutures. Removable or absorbable sutures may be used as per the surgeon’s choice. Traditional sutures will be removed in about one week to 10 days after the surgery. Absorbable sutures will dissolve and disappear on their own.

The area around the stitches must be kept clean during the recovery phase in order to minimize the risk of infection. The incision site should not be submerged in water as far as possible, and dirt should not come in contact with the area. Vigorous activities and exercises should be avoided initially in order to prevent the pulling of the sutures.

 

Drains and Bandages

The incision area will be wrapped in bandages and drains will be placed below the skin in the incision area following breast augmentation. The patient will be fitted with a surgical bra that will provide support during the first few weeks. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast augmentation and various other surgical and non-surgical procedures.

 

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Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgery Steps

To see more services and treatments provided by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles and his team please visit:

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