Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust and Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Estimated payments to acquire life insurance policies	$ 25,000,000
Chief Executive Officer | Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Estimated death benefit proceeds	33,000,000
Chief Executive Officer | Trust Owned by Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Estimated payments to acquire life insurance policies	8,000,000
Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trust outstanding shares held, percentage	6.10%
Advisory fee earned	600,000	600,000
Pre-tax share of income from the Trust	300,000	300,000
Carrying value of investment in Trust	8,000,000	8,000,000
Market value of investment in Trust	33,000,000	32,000,000
Rent expense under operating leases	$ 4,000,000	$ 4,000,000
Non-controlling ownership interests by subsidiaries	100.00%