P.L. McCarthy’s technique of evaluating pediatric patients focuses on six easily observed factors that, taken together, are a sensitive indicator of serious illness in an infant (see Exhibit 7–1). Ideally, each of these factors would be noted on every pediatric patient seen for an illness. This could be accomplished by using a rubber stamp to enter the list into the medical record. Even if the individual factors are not recorded for each visit, they should always be recorded for patients in whom they are abnormal: