v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Apr. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2018  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018  
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  
Class A    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,577,100
Class B    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   87,149,150
Class C    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   661,688
Class D    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   18,673