Represents the number of hospital systems alleging a violation of nurses compensation and additional benefits.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	thc_
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- Definition

Represents the number of independent monitors.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	thc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of years the DOJ will appoint a corporate monitor.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	thc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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- Definition

Interest expense (income) directly attributable to an award in settlement of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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- Definition

Number of defendants named in a legal action.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=thc_AntitrustClassActionLawsuitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

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CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details) $ in Millions				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details) $ in Millions	Feb. 10, 2017 plaintiff	Feb. 01, 2017 item	Oct. 07, 2016 item	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 Institution	Dec. 31, 2016 item
Clinica de la Mama Investigations and Qui Tam Action
Loss Contingencies
Litigation settlement interest \| $				$ 517.0
Clinica de la Mama Investigations and Qui Tam Action \| Forecast
Loss Contingencies
Number of independent monitors		2
Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit
Loss Contingencies
Number of years DOJ will appoint corporate monitor					3 years
Number of hospital systems alleging violation \| Institution					3
Shareholder Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Number of plaintiffs						3
Number of defendants			2
Shareholder Litigation \| Forecast
Loss Contingencies
Number of plaintiffs \| plaintiff	4