Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 7,500,198	$ 5,568,185	$ 5,202,379
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	3,394,967	2,423,102	2,204,422
Other operating expenses	1,385,680	1,005,288	994,923
Supplies expense	821,811	733,093	699,249
Provision for doubtful accounts	613,619	546,909	508,603
Depreciation and amortization	295,228	223,915	204,703
Lease and rental expense	91,765	76,961	69,947
Transaction costs	0	53,220	0
Total operating expenses	6,603,070	5,062,488	4,681,847
Income from operations	897,128	505,697	520,532
Interest expense, net	200,792	77,600	45,810
Income before income taxes	696,336	428,097	474,722
Provision for income taxes	247,466	152,302	170,475
Net income	448,870	275,795	304,247
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	50,703	45,612	43,874
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 398,167	$ 230,183	$ 260,373
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 4.09	$ 2.37	$ 2.65
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 4.04	$ 2.34	$ 2.64
Weighted average number of common shares-basic	97,199	96,786	97,794
Add: Other share equivalents	1,338	1,187	481
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents-diluted	98,537	97,973	98,275