Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 166,614	$ 167,803	$ 318,466	$ 297,738
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	4,465	5,282	8,210	9,817
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(168)	(168)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	4,381	5,198	8,042	9,649
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income	1,620	1,960	2,974	3,638
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,761	3,238	5,068	6,011
Comprehensive income	169,375	171,041	323,534	303,749
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	14,943	15,962	28,717	26,113
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	154,432	155,079	294,817	277,636
Parent
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	151,671	151,841	289,749	271,625
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	4,465	5,282	8,210	9,817
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(168)	(168)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	4,381	5,198	8,042	9,649
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income	1,620	1,960	2,974	3,638
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,761	3,238	5,068	6,011
Comprehensive income	154,432	155,079	294,817	277,636
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	154,432	155,079	294,817	277,636
Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	154,870	156,023	301,530	282,259
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	0	0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	0	0	0	0
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	154,870	156,023	301,530	282,259
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	154,870	156,023	301,530	282,259
Non Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	82,388	72,975	151,255	131,877
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	0	0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	0	0	0	0
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	82,388	72,975	151,255	131,877
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	14,943	15,962	28,717	26,113
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	67,445	57,013	122,538	105,764
Consolidating Adjustments
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	(222,315)	(213,036)	(424,068)	(388,023)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	0	0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	0	0	0	0
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(222,315)	(213,036)	(424,068)	(388,023)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ (222,315)	$ (213,036)	$ (424,068)	$ (388,023)