How does a meld score translate to priority for a patient's potential liver transplant?

Reflects function: Higher meld scores relate to worse liver function, more severe disease, and thus higher priority for transplant.

Sickest first. : The meld (model for end-stage liver disease) score is calculated by a mathematical formula that takes into account 3 lab values, bilirubin, inr and creatinine. The score ranges from 6 (less unwell) to 40 (very unwell) and is both an acuity score as well as a predictor of 3 month mortality. The meld score determines one's place on the list. The highest score gets top transplant priority.