Every year, the U.S. News and World Report ranks "the best hospitals" for kidney diseases using a number of factors, such as reputation, mortality rates, and other care-related factors. According to their ranking system, the top 10 hospitals for kidney disease in order are:

1. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston
2. New York-Presbyterian Univ. Hosp. of Columbia and Cornell
3. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
4. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
5. Cleveland Clinic
6. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
7. UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
8. Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis
9. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
10. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville

When looking at these rankings, you have to realize that the criteria they used can be very subjective and somewhat arbitrary (see 2006 results for criteria discussion). Also, in most cases of kidney disease (excluding kidney cancer), highly specialized testing or treatments are not usually necessary. But, if you are facing a difficult or complex situation, getting a second opinion from someone at one of the "best hospitals" might make a significant difference in the quality of care. However, it very well may not.

• Best Hospitals for Kidney Disease in 2006

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