Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 81,373	$ 94,842	$ 341,387	$ 340,863
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	(45)	(21,360)	1,782	(39,636)
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(252)	(252)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(129)	(21,444)	1,530	(39,888)
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(47)	(8,214)	585	(15,270)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(82)	(13,230)	945	(24,618)
Comprehensive income	81,291	81,612	342,332	316,245
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,556	9,788	33,402	37,967
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 71,735	$ 71,824	$ 308,930	$ 278,278