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 Surgery: Enlarged Turbinates

Rhinoplasty Surgery: Enlarged Turbinates

Rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery is an effective treatment for enlarged turbinates. Turbinates refer to thin, long bones that project outwards from the side of the septum inside the nasal cavity. Turbinates look like tiny, small knobs on the ends.

There are three types of turbinates. The bones that are located in the upper portion of the nose between the nose and eyes are called superior turbinates. Middle turbinates refer to the middle part of the nose, and inferior turbinates sit atop the nostrils.

During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will assess the patient’s nose to evaluate if enlarged turbinates surgery is appropriate for them. The successful board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides a wide range of nose reshaping surgery procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Turbinate Rhinoplasty

Turbinate rhinoplasty can address inflamed turbinates which can occur due to irritants or allergies. At times, the turbinate can contract due to pressure from a deviated septum which pushes it to one side. This causes the opposite turbinate to become larger to make up for the constrained turbinate and leads to additional breathing issues.

Certain surgeons treat enlarged turbinates by removing tissue to reduce their size while others not to excise any tissue. Instead, the surgeon fractures the turbinate in the outward direction. Turbinates warm the air entering the nose and generate moisture to facilitate proper breathing.

Sometimes, removing these turbinates causes a painful condition known as atrophic rhinitis. However, fracturing a turbinate outwardly and away from the septum and positioning it appropriately creates a larger airway. This improves breathing and enhances the proper functioning of the turbinates.

 

Surgical Procedure

Various cosmetic surgery techniques can be employed to reduce the size of turbinates. Turbinate size correction surgery is commonly known as turbinate reduction or turbinate resection. The patient can undergo this procedure in the surgeon’s office or an operating room. The surgeon typically performs a septoplasty and turbinate resection simultaneously.

It is important not to remove the turbinate entirely as it can impact the overall functioning of the turbinate. The complete elimination of a turbinate can lead to a very dry and crusty nose.

At times, the turbinate tissue may re-grow following the procedure. In this case, the patient will need further surgical intervention. This is more acceptable in comparison to completely removing a turbinate.

Certain techniques can reduce the size of a turbinate without removing the turbinate bone of tissue. Techniques such as radiofrequency reduction, coblation, and cauterization can help accomplish this reduction.

In these techniques, a part of the turbinate is heated with a specialized tool. This enables the turbinate to shrink after a while as scar tissue develops due to the heating process.

Certain procedures can be used to remove a part of the turbinate. The surgeon must ensure that sufficient turbinate remains within the nose while performing these procedures. The turbinate that remains in the nose can warm and humidify the air going into the nose.

A standard technique to treat enlarged turbinates is called submucosal resection. Prudent plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other suburbs and cities in this region of the nation for nose surgery.


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Rhinoplasty Surgery: Enlarged Turbinates

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