If you’re heading to an appointment at a local clinic, you might want to grab the latest Dan Brown book or People magazine from home.

In an effort to reduce the chance of spreading the flu virus, Mankato Clinic and ISJ Clinics have removed what has been the mainstay of waiting rooms: magazines.

“These are unusual times that require unusual moves,” said Kevin Burns, director of communications for ISJ.

Marcia Bahr, public relations director for Mankato Clinic, said patients have been understanding.

“The reaction from patients has been very positive when they’re told why we’re doing it,” Bahr said. “A manager in Lake Crystal said a patient said they always wondered about germs on magazines.”

The removal of magazines, as well as limits on visitors and other precautions, is becoming common across the country in response to the spread of H1N1 flu.

The Mankato Clinic also removed toys from waiting rooms — a move that is likely to be permanent.

ISJ removed some toys, but kept certain toys in its pediatric waiting rooms, saying they are specially manufactured for health-care facilities and designed to reduce germ transmission. Burns said the toys and play areas are sanitized daily and often more than once a day.

Mankato Clinic also has ended a previous practice of handing patients a color-coded folder when they check in that they carry to the department they are going to. “We just give them a slip of paper now that they give to the nurse,” Bahr said.

ISJ already has limited who can visit people in the hospital. Currently, no one younger than 16 may visit unless the visitor is a sibling over age 5. Burns said they may further restrict visitors, following tighter guidelines being set by Mayo Clinic and some other hospitals.

While the number of H1N1 cases appear to have dipped some statewide, Burns said the number of patients with flu-like symptoms coming to the Emergency Department and being hospitalized has stayed fairly consistent in recent weeks. He said there are from 11 to 17 hospitalizations locally on any given day of people with flu-like symptoms.