Consolidating Financial Statements - Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net (loss) income	$ (609)	$ (1,779)	$ (5,249)	$ (8,745)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			36,614	38,315
Asset impairment charges				1,703
Amortization of intangibles, deferred financing costs and bond premium			6,011	6,532
Provision for doubtful accounts			130	54
Provision for inventory obsolescence			86	225
Non-cash share-based compensation expense			1,514	1,140
Gain on sales and disposals of equipment			(1,863)	(2,522)
Deferred income taxes			120	108
Interest on note receivable			(3)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(5,301)	(3,980)
Inventories			(80)	(393)
Other operating assets			(1,100)	669
Accounts payable			(1,338)	2,000
Other operating liabilities			(6,537)	5,119
Net cash provided by operating activities			23,004	40,225
Cash flows from investing activities:
Medical equipment purchases			(27,412)	(27,437)
Property and office equipment purchases			(2,083)	(2,433)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment			6,944	9,426
Issuance of note receivable from officer			(983)
Acquisition				(2,600)
Net cash used in investing activities			(23,534)	(23,044)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds under senior secured credit facility			75,700	63,900
Payments under senior secured credit facility			(74,500)	(75,900)
Payments of principal under capital lease obligations			(2,944)	(4,154)
Payment of deferred financing costs			(97)
Holdback payment related to acquisition			(500)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(196)	(240)
Contributions from new members to limited liability companies				70
Dividend and equity distribution payments			(24)	(39)
Proceeds from exercise of parent company stock options			66
Change in book overdrafts			3,025	(818)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			530	(17,181)
Consolidating Adjustments
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net (loss) income	(901)	(573)	(1,268)	(759)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiary	901	573	1,268	759
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from affiliates			1,380	1,196
Net cash provided by operating activities			1,380	1,196
Cash flows from financing activities:
Due to affiliates			(1,380)	(1,196)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(1,380)	(1,196)
Parent Issuer UHS
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net (loss) income	(609)	(1,779)	(5,249)	(8,745)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			33,059	34,717
Asset impairment charges				1,703
Amortization of intangibles, deferred financing costs and bond premium			4,304	4,890
Equity in earnings of subsidiary	(901)	(573)	(1,268)	(759)
Provision for doubtful accounts			72	28
Provision for inventory obsolescence			126	210
Non-cash share-based compensation expense			1,514	1,140
Gain on sales and disposals of equipment			(1,903)	(2,436)
Deferred income taxes			799	1,098
Interest on note receivable			(3)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(5,110)	(3,213)
Due from affiliates			(1,380)	(1,196)
Inventories			(859)	(410)
Other operating assets			(722)	610
Accounts payable			(522)	1,148
Other operating liabilities			(6,254)	5,788
Net cash provided by operating activities			16,604	34,573
Cash flows from investing activities:
Medical equipment purchases			(22,647)	(25,308)
Property and office equipment purchases			(2,070)	(2,417)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment			6,940	9,290
Issuance of note receivable from officer			(983)
Net cash used in investing activities			(18,760)	(18,435)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds under senior secured credit facility			75,700	63,900
Payments under senior secured credit facility			(74,500)	(75,900)
Payments of principal under capital lease obligations			(2,341)	(3,635)
Payment of deferred financing costs			(97)
Dividend and equity distribution payments			(24)	(39)
Proceeds from exercise of parent company stock options			66
Change in book overdrafts			3,352	(464)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			2,156	(16,138)
Subsidiary Guarantor Surgical Services
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net (loss) income	$ 901	$ 573	1,268	759
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			3,555	3,598
Amortization of intangibles, deferred financing costs and bond premium			1,707	1,642
Provision for doubtful accounts			58	26
Provision for inventory obsolescence			(40)	15
Gain on sales and disposals of equipment			40	(86)
Deferred income taxes			(679)	(990)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(191)	(767)
Inventories			779	17
Other operating assets			(378)	59
Accounts payable			(816)	852
Other operating liabilities			(283)	(669)
Net cash provided by operating activities			5,020	4,456
Cash flows from investing activities:
Medical equipment purchases			(4,765)	(2,129)
Property and office equipment purchases			(13)	(16)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment			4	136
Acquisition				(2,600)
Net cash used in investing activities			(4,774)	(4,609)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of principal under capital lease obligations			(603)	(519)
Holdback payment related to acquisition			(500)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(196)	(240)
Contributions from new members to limited liability companies				70
Due to affiliates			1,380	1,196
Change in book overdrafts			(327)	(354)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			$ (246)	$ 153