v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Oct. 31, 2012
Class A
Oct. 31, 2012
Class B
Oct. 31, 2012
Class C
Oct. 31, 2012
Class D
Document Information [Line Items]          
Entity Registrant Name UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES INC        
Entity Central Index Key 0000352915        
Trading Symbol UHS        
Document Type 10-Q        
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2012        
Amendment Flag false        
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2012        
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3        
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31        
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer        
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,625,708 89,884,317 664,000 31,948