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.

Blog

Breast Reconstruction Plastic Surgery

Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction Plastic SurgeryBreast reconstruction plastic surgery can recreate the appearance of one or both the breasts in a patient who has undergone a mastectomy.

 

Depending on her needs, this surgery can enable a woman to feel more feminine and have more confidence. It is important for patients to understand that breast reconstruction is a major surgical procedure which should only be performed by an expert plastic surgeon.

 

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient on various facets of a breast reconstruction surgery and answer any questions that she may have to help her arrive at a well-informed decision.

 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast reconstruction surgery procedure to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities and cities in this region of SoCal.

 

Candidacy

 

Ideal candidates for a breast reconstruction surgery can be women who have lost one or both breasts due to a mastectomy. A suitable candidate will have the following attributes:

 

  • Is interested in the restoration of her breast shape and size
  • Does not have cancerous tissue in and around the breast
  • Does not smoke or is willing to stop smoking for a specific period
  • Has been resilient during the cancer treatment
  • Is not averse to multiple surgeries
  • Has realistic expectations from the reconstruction surgery

 

The surgeon will inform the patient about the advantages and the possible risks associated with the breast reconstruction plastic surgery.

 

Procedure

 

The patient can elect to undergo breast reconstruction surgery immediately following the mastectomy or wait till she heals from the previous procedure. The surgeon can perform the reconstruction using two approaches, namely breast implants or flap technique. In the implant technique, the surgeon places a silicone or saline breast implant underneath the chest muscle.

 

In the flap method, the surgeon utilizes fat, muscle, and skin from another site on the patient’s body to perform the procedure. The surgeon will guide the patient carefully to make sure that she can decide upon a technique that is most appropriate for her.

 

Implant Reconstruction

 

Implant breast reconstruction technique involves many stages. The process begins with the surgeon placing a balloon expander underneath the skin and chest muscles to enable the area to stretch.

 

This process can extend over a few weeks or months until the skin stretches enough to create adequate space for implant placement. Then the surgeon will place the saline or silicone implants where they need to go.

 

Flap Reconstruction

 

The surgeon takes extra tissue from areas of the body such as the back, buttock, or abdomen and grafts this to the chest. They will use this tissue to develop a breast mound. In case the patient needs an implant as well, the surgeon will use it in the procedure.

 

This method involves more scarring because of additional incisions. This leads to a more extensive recovery period. However, outcomes with the flap technique may appear more natural than from the implant technique.

 

Recovery Process

 

A breast reconstruction surgery usually involves a downtime of 2 weeks. The surgeon will advise the patient to take gentle walks and perform light activities with their home. However, the patient should not lift heavy weights or exercise vigorously.

 

Committed plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other suburbs and cities in area of California for breast reconstruction surgery.

 

Click here for Virtual Consultation

Breast Reconstruction Plastic Surgery

Spread the love

Comments are closed.