v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Apr. 30, 2011
Common Class A [Member]
Apr. 30, 2011
Common Class B [Member]
Apr. 30, 2011
Common Class C [Member]
Apr. 30, 2011
Common Class D [Member]
Document Type 10-Q        
Amendment Flag false        
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2011        
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011        
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1        
Trading Symbol uhs        
Entity Registrant Name UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES INC        
Entity Central Index Key 0000352915        
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31        
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer        
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,645,308 90,330,760 664,000 34,334