Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 133,186	$ 123,099	$ 167,803	$ 129,935	$ 147,660	$ 81,373	$ 117,444	$ 142,570	$ 554,023	$ 489,047	$ 448,870
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges									16,963	6,677	(37,477)
Amortization of terminated hedge									(336)	(336)	(336)
Minimum Pension Liability									14,657	4,986	(12,397)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax									31,284	11,327	(50,210)
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income									11,940	4,306	(19,174)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									19,344	7,021	(31,036)
Comprehensive income									573,367	496,068	417,834
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									43,290	45,601	50,703
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									530,077	450,467	367,131
Parent
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									510,733	443,446	398,167
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges									16,963	6,677	(37,477)
Amortization of terminated hedge									(336)	(336)	(336)
Minimum Pension Liability									14,657	4,986	(12,397)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax									31,284	11,327	(50,210)
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income									11,940	4,306	(19,174)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									19,344	7,021	(31,036)
Comprehensive income									530,077	450,467	367,131
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									530,077	450,467	367,131
Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									480,344	438,873	382,249
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge									0	0	0
Minimum Pension Liability									14,657	4,986	(12,397)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax									14,657	4,986	(12,397)
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income									5,670	1,898	(4,691)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									8,987	3,088	(7,706)
Comprehensive income									489,331	441,961	374,543
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									489,331	441,961	374,543
Non Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									300,970	316,617	344,260
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge									0	0	0
Minimum Pension Liability									0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax									0	0	0
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									0	0	0
Comprehensive income									300,970	316,617	344,260
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									43,290	45,601	50,703
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									257,680	271,016	293,557
Consolidating Adjustments
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									(738,024)	(709,889)	(675,806)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge									0	0	0
Minimum Pension Liability									(14,657)	(4,986)	12,397
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax									(14,657)	(4,986)	12,397
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income									(5,670)	(1,898)	4,691
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									(8,987)	(3,088)	7,706
Comprehensive income									(747,011)	(712,977)	(668,100)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									$ (747,011)	$ (712,977)	$ (668,100)