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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Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) Types

Rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery can treat physiological conditions that can impact a person’s ability to breathe properly. In addition, it can enhance the nose shape for improved aesthetics. There are many types of rhinoplasty to address a wide range of patient needs.

Committed board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides a wide range of nose reshaping surgery procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) TypesHollywood, Los Angeles, and other towns and suburbs in this region of SoCal.  

 

Functional Rhinoplasty Procedures

Nose reshaping cosmetic surgery can be performed as an “open” or “closed” procedure. In open rhinoplasty, the surgeon places incisions on the outside of the nose whereas in closed rhinoplasty the incisions are placed within the nose.

Surgeons employ a closed technique wherever possible to avoid any conspicuous scarring. However, open rhinoplasty may be required for patients with severe damage or in case the treatment area is located high in the nasal cavity.  

An experienced, proven, and skilled plastic surgeon can place open rhinoplasty incisions within the nasal contour to minimize the appearance of any scars resulting from the nose surgery.

 

Ethnic Rhinoplasty

Every race has specific aesthetic characteristics, although not every member of a particular race has these physical attributes. However, those that do sometimes choose to receive cosmetic surgery to modify these characteristics.

Rhinoplasty is a sought-after procedure for patients whose ethnic attributes include a broad nose. Many patients with Asian and African heritage seek cosmetic rhinoplasty to decrease the nose width from one nostril to the other.

It is crucial that the plastic surgeon modifies their approach to the unique anatomic elements of the ethnic nose. The surgeon should not alter the nose beyond a point that would dramatically change the patient’s appearance.

 

Correcting the Radix

The radix refers to the upper bony part of the nose. The radix, as well as the cartilage beneath it, may be substantial leading to a bump. In case the radix is shallow, it can create a depression and a bump. The surgeon can decrease the size of the radix by cautiously shaving away tiny portions.

The surgeon may create fullness in a depressed region via a part of the patient’s own cartilage taken from another area of the nose. They can develop a straighter slope by augmenting the area right above the radix.

 

Straightening a Crooked Nose

In case the nose is shifted to one side or slightly crooked, a surgeon can straighten it by physically moving the tissues, or reducing some cartilage or bone. Similar to the case of a broken nose requiring functional rhinoplasty, the surgeon may place a splint to hold the nose in position during the healing period.

 

Tip Rotation and Reduction

In case the nasal tip lacks definition or is too defined, it may not have a proper rotation. Rotation is the downward or upward turn of the nasal tip. While making adjustments to the nasal tip by reshaping the cartilage, the surgeon will focus on the base of the nose as it impacts the rotation and tension.

 

Projection Adjustment

In order to reduce the nasal projection, a surgeon can shave away a part of the cartilage at the nose tip. If the projection needs to be increased, the surgeon may bifurcate and realign the cartilage, pushing it forward and suturing it into the desired position. In case the nasal tip has insufficient cartilage, the surgeon may use a cartilage graft to augment it.

Cordial plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for nose surgery.  

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