Clara Maass Ranked Jersey's 20th Best Hospital in Survey

A U.S. News and World Report 2013 survey ranks Clara Maass Medical Center as the 20th best hospital in New Jersey.

Using American Hospital Association's most recent data, the Belleville hospital was classified as "high performing" in Nephrology, the study of diseases related to the kidney.

It did not receive a ranking in cancer; diabetes and endocrinology; pulmonology; cardiology and heart surgery; ear, nose and throat; or neurology and neurosurgery.

The 356-bed hospital is also ranked as the #44 medical facility in the New York metropolitan area.

Valley had 18,571 admissions in the most recent year reported, 74,122 emergency room visits, and performed 6,876 annual inpatient and 7,844 outpatient surgeries.

U.S. News also reported that an August 2012 patient survey showed 75 percent of patients rated Valley highest or very high (the state average is 62 percent) and 82 percent (the state average is 65 percent) would recommend the facility to a family member or friend. 

Doctors and nurses were found to be courteous and helpful, receiving "good" ratings. Rooms and bathrooms were both rated as "good" in cleanliness. The survey also found staff explained the proper steps to recover from ailments before patients left the facility.

The hospital received "average" rankings for promptness in care, controlling pain, noise levels, and proper explanations of medication and possible side effects before taking drugs.

Valley Hospital officials did not return multiple requests for comment.