Consolidating Financial Statements - Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net loss	$ (52,447)	$ (31,850)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	64,120	63,157
Asset impairment charges	2,025	0
Intangible asset impairment charge	34,900	0
Amortization of intangibles, deferred financing costs and bond premium	10,359	12,017
Non-cash write off of deferred financing cost		1,853
Provision for doubtful accounts	658	1,216
Provision for inventory obsolescence	(27)	22
Non-cash share-based compensation expense - net	801	609
Gain on sales and disposals of equipment	(1,791)	(1,070)
Deferred income taxes	(13,545)	733
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,667	75
Inventories	(253)	(989)
Other operating assets	(2,137)	(199)
Accounts payable	221	(755)
Other operating liabilities	(9,274)	(9,341)
Net cash provided by operating activities	35,277	35,478
Cash flows from investing activities:
Medical equipment purchases	(44,563)	(39,799)
Property and office equipment purchases	(3,610)	(6,327)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment	6,996	2,632
Holdback payment related to acquisition		(1,655)
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(46)
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,223)	(45,149)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds under senior secured credit facility	123,400	82,900
Payments under senior secured credit facility	(107,200)	(66,700)
Payments of principal under capital lease obligations	(5,199)	(5,679)
Payments of floating rate notes		(230,000)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds		234,025
Accrued interest received from bondholders		8,620
Accrued interest paid to bondholders		(8,620)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(436)	(528)
Dividend and equity distribution payments	(73)
Payment of deferred financing costs		(4,116)
Change in book overdrafts	(4,546)	(231)
Holdback payment related to acquisition		(1,655)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	5,946	9,671
UHS Holdco, Inc., (Parent)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net loss	(52,447)	(31,850)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	59,139	58,531
Asset impairment charges	2,025
Intangible asset impairment charge	34,900
Amortization of intangibles, deferred financing costs and bond premium	7,877	9,499
Non-cash write off of deferred financing cost		1,853
Equity in loss of subsidiary	312	44
Provision for doubtful accounts	661	1,377
Provision for inventory obsolescence	(16)	64
Non-cash share-based compensation expense - net	626	452
Gain on sales and disposals of equipment	(1,776)	(1,055)
Deferred income taxes	(11,345)	1,595
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,788	(299)
Due from (to) affiliates	(2,529)	(2,490)
Inventories	593	100
Other operating assets	(2,090)	(283)
Accounts payable	498	(419)
Other operating liabilities	(9,757)	(8,039)
Net cash provided by operating activities	28,459	29,080
Cash flows from investing activities:
Medical equipment purchases	(40,270)	(36,895)
Property and office equipment purchases	(3,420)	(6,008)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment	6,919	2,612
Net cash used in investing activities	(36,771)	(40,291)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds under senior secured credit facility	123,400	82,900
Payments under senior secured credit facility	(107,200)	(66,700)
Payments of principal under capital lease obligations	(4,198)	(4,659)
Payments of floating rate notes		(230,000)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds		234,025
Accrued interest received from bondholders		8,620
Accrued interest paid to bondholders		(8,620)
Dividend and equity distribution payments	(73)
Payment of deferred financing costs		(4,116)
Change in book overdrafts	(3,617)	(239)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	8,312	11,211
Subsidiary Guarantor Surgical Services
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net loss	(312)	(44)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	4,981	4,626
Amortization of intangibles, deferred financing costs and bond premium	2,482	2,518
Provision for doubtful accounts	(3)	(161)
Provision for inventory obsolescence	(11)	(42)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense - net	175	157
Gain on sales and disposals of equipment	(15)	(15)
Deferred income taxes	(2,200)	(862)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(121)	374
Due from (to) affiliates	2,529	2,490
Inventories	(846)	(1,089)
Other operating assets	(47)	84
Accounts payable	(277)	(336)
Other operating liabilities	483	(1,302)
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,818	6,398
Cash flows from investing activities:
Medical equipment purchases	(4,293)	(2,904)
Property and office equipment purchases	(190)	(319)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment	77	20
Holdback payment related to acquisition		(1,655)
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(46)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,452)	(4,858)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of principal under capital lease obligations	(1,001)	(1,020)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(436)	(528)
Change in book overdrafts	(929)	8
Holdback payment related to acquisition		(1,655)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,366)	(1,540)
Consolidating Adjustments
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net loss	312	44
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in loss of subsidiary	$ (312)	$ (44)