Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust and Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended													3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 McAllen Medical Center [Member] Beds	Sep. 30, 2012 Wellington Regional Medical Center [Member] Beds	Sep. 30, 2012 Southwest Healthcare System, Inland Valley Campus [Member] Beds	Sep. 30, 2012 The Bridgeway [Member] Beds	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] McAllen Medical Center [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Wellington Regional Medical Center [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Southwest Healthcare System, Inland Valley Campus [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] The Bridgeway [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Wellington Regional Medical Center [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Southwest Healthcare System, Inland Valley Campus [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] The Bridgeway [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Chief Executive Officer [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Chief Executive Officer [Member] Trust Owned by Chief Executive Officer [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Related Party A [Member] Acute Care Facility [Member]
Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust and Related Party Transactions (Textual) [Abstract]
Trust outstanding shares held, percentage														6.20%		6.20%
Advisory fee earned														$ 540,000	$ 525,000	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,500,000
Pre-tax share of income from the Trust														31,000	133,000	922,000	693,000
Carrying value of investment in Trust														9,500,000		9,500,000		10,000,000
Market value of investment in Trust														36,200,000		36,200,000		30,700,000
Rent expense under operating leases														4,100,000	4,100,000	12,200,000	12,400,000
Non-controlling ownership interests by subsidiaries														100.00%		100.00%
Estimated payments to acquire life insurance policies												25,000,000	8,000,000
Estimated death benefit proceeds												33,000,000
Fair-market value of personal residence of president of Acute Care Division																			$ 1,000,000
Capital Lease (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of renewal options at existing lease rates	3	1	2	2
Renewal options term at existing lease rates	5 years	5 years	5 years	5 years
Renewal options at existing lease rates expiration year					2031	2021	2021
Number of renewal options at fair market value lease rates		2	2
Renewal options term at fair market value lease rates		5 years	5 years
Renewal options at fair market value lease rates expiration year						2031	2031	2024	2022	2022	2015