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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Tummy Tuck Risks and Safety

Tummy Tuck Risks and SafetyThe tummy tuck is a major plastic surgery procedure designed to create a firmer, flatter abdominal area. As long as tummy tuck surgery is performed by a fully trained and experienced plastic surgeon, it can produce highly desirable outcomes. However, certain risks and complications are typically associated with tummy tuck, as with any other surgical procedure.

The surgeon will inform the patient about the potential risks during the pre-operative consultation. The first goal of a responsible surgeon will be to help the patient make a well-considered decision. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Potential Complications

Poor Reaction to Anesthesia

Tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia. In rare cases, a patient may have an adverse reaction to anesthesia. An experienced anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will be present in the operating room throughout the surgery to monitor the condition.

Blood Clotting

In exceptional circumstances, or in cases where the patient has a tendency of clot formation, a blood clot may occur inside a blood vessel. This can obstruct the blood flow, and in very rare cases, the clot may travel to the lungs, heart or brain, posing a serious health hazard.

Infection

The cosmetic surgeon should ensure that the tummy tuck procedure is performed at a surgical facility with a completely sterile operating environment. After the surgery, the patient should avoid any contact with dirt in the incision areas. Antibiotics may also be prescribed for a few days to minimize the risk of infection.

Slow Healing

Pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness will usually resolve in about four to six weeks following a full traditional tummy tuck surgery. However, a few patients may heal slowly and continue to experience discomfort after six weeks. Smokers should be particularly careful, and refrain from any use of tobacco for a certain period before and after the surgery to minimize the risk of delayed healing.

Unfavorable Scarring

Some amount of scarring is unavoidable in tummy tuck surgery. But a skilled surgeon can place the incisions in discreet locations to minimize scarring. However, in a few cases, the scars may be more apparent due to a variety of factors. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Safety Information

In 2010, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) conducted an extensive survey over a period of nine months, which involved 3,681 tummy tuck patients. Complications were found in 163 patients, revealing a complication rate of 4.7 percent.

Hemorrhage and infection were the most common complications, while fluid overload, hypoxia, pulmonary dysfunction, hypotension and pulmonary embolism comprised the rare complications.

Even though tummy tuck is a major surgery, it has a relatively low rate of complications compared to various other cosmetic surgery procedures. If the procedure is performed by a fully qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, the rate of complications will significantly drop further.

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Tummy Tuck Risks and Safety

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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