Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 147,660	$ 81,373	$ 117,444	$ 142,570	$ 108,007	$ 94,842	$ 116,034	$ 129,987	$ 489,047	$ 448,870	$ 275,795
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges									6,677	(37,477)	1,396
Amortization of terminated hedge									(336)	(336)	(336)
Minimum Pension Liability									4,986	(12,397)	743
Other comprehensive income before tax									11,327	(50,210)	1,803
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income									4,306	(19,174)	689
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									7,021	(31,036)	1,114
Comprehensive income									496,068	417,834	276,909
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									45,601	50,703	45,612
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									450,467	367,131	231,297
Parent
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									443,446	398,167	230,183
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges									6,677	(37,477)	1,396
Amortization of terminated hedge									(336)	(336)	(336)
Minimum Pension Liability									0	0	0
Other comprehensive income before tax									6,341	(37,813)	1,060
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income									2,408	(14,483)	408
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									3,933	(23,330)	652
Comprehensive income									447,379	374,837	230,835
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									447,379	374,837	230,835
Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									438,873	382,249	236,778
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge									0	0	0
Minimum Pension Liability									4,986	(12,397)	743
Other comprehensive income before tax									4,986	(12,397)	743
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income									1,898	(4,691)	281
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									3,088	(7,706)	462
Comprehensive income									441,961	374,543	237,240
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									441,961	374,543	237,240
Non Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									316,617	344,260	215,538
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge									0	0	0
Minimum Pension Liability									0	0	0
Other comprehensive income before tax									0	0	0
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									0	0	0
Comprehensive income									316,617	344,260	215,538
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									45,601	50,703	45,612
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									271,016	293,557	169,926
Consolidating Adjustments
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									(709,889)	(675,806)	(406,704)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge									0	0	0
Minimum Pension Liability									0	0	0
Other comprehensive income before tax									0	0	0
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									0	0	0
Comprehensive income									(709,889)	(675,806)	(406,704)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									$ (709,889)	$ (675,806)	$ (406,704)