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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Cosmetic Rhinoplasty Procedures: Correcting The Radix

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty Procedures: Correcting The RadixSome patients may undergo dorsal hump or bump reduction as part of rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery. This condition also has a variation which causes the illusion of a significant bump, known as the pseudo-hump or low radix.

The radix is the upper bony part of the nose. Both the radix and underlying cartilage may be substantial creating the appearance of a bump. If the radix is shallow, it can cause a depression and a bump. The cosmetic surgeon can reduce the size of the radix by carefully trimming away small portions.

 

Seeking that Natural Look

The surgeon may add volume to a depressed area of the nose by sourcing the patient’s cartilage from another nasal site. Augmenting the space right above the radix allows the surgeon to create a straighter slope. Proper radix management is vital to give the nose a natural appearance.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Pseudo-Hump

In case the patient has a pseudo-hump, it means that the radix is not adequately developed and is under-projecting. This leads to a facial profile where the tissue beneath the radix (towards the tip of the nose) seems even more bulbous and fuller than it really is. If the radix bone does not project the overlying soft tissue properly, it causes the appearance of a pseudo-hump.

 

Correcting an Underdeveloped and Low Radix

The most appropriate treatment for an under-projecting radix is nose plastic surgery with radix tissue grafting. A radix graft can consist of cartilage, fascia, or other soft tissue. It is typically a sculpted cartilage piece, usually taken from the septum. The surgeon places this graft beneath the skin and muscle of the radix where it stays hidden.

The placement of the cartilage graft over the bone where it raises the depressed soft tissue addresses the deficit in the bony structure. This procedure creates a much straighter profile without the requirement to remove any bone or cartilage beneath the radix.

 

Can you have Weak Radix and a True Hump?

A patient can have both an under-developed radix and a true hump. The benefit of treating these issues together is that the surgeon can undertake a more conservative hump removal.

They will bring the ideal profile line closer to the hump through raising the position of the radix. As a result, the surgeon will have to eliminate a lesser portion of the hump to develop a straighter profile.

The result of this procedure also looks less “surgical” and more natural because of a stronger nasal starting point.

 

Correcting Radix as Part of Revision Rhinoplasty

The height of the radix is the angle between the frontal and nasal bones of the nose. For balanced and harmonious outcomes, this height should be proportionate to the dorsal height, length, and tip proportionate.

If the radix remains too high, or the graft used during the procedure is too substantial, the nose will have a Romanesque appearance after the surgery. In revision rhinoplasty, the surgeon reduces the radix to its correct and most harmonious proportions in comparison to other nasal aspects and facial features.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

 

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Cosmetic Rhinoplasty Procedures: Correcting The Radix

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