Quarterly Statement of Earnings Data - Quarterly Statement of Earnings (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]                      
Business acquisition revenue contributed $ 247,169 $ 216,196 $ 208,720 $ 192,651 $ 213,824 $ 190,983 $ 193,368 $ 187,488 $ 864,736 $ 785,663 $ 726,374
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 66,284 46,341 38,562 24,756 8,524 16,198 20,097 31,429 175,943 76,248 87,778
Income from continuing operations 62,789 43,511 37,197 23,007 6,044 10,774 19,033 28,077 166,504 63,928 79,260
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax (1,750) (5,052) (2,716) 163 (3,704) (1,336) (2,687) (1,603) (9,355) (9,330) (4,895)
Net income 61,039 38,459 34,481 23,170 2,340 9,438 16,346 26,474 157,149 54,598 74,365
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (43,154) (30,627) (28,452) (22,936) (29,777) (22,146) (26,109) (27,910) (125,169) (105,942) (94,375)
Net income (loss) attributable to Surgical Care Affiliates $ 17,885 $ 7,832 $ 6,029 $ 234 $ (27,437) $ (12,708) $ (9,763) $ (1,436) $ 31,980 $ (51,344) $ (20,010)
Basic net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share $ 0.51 $ 0.33 $ 0.23 $ 0.00 $ (0.67) $ (0.37) $ (0.23) $ 0.01 $ 1.07 $ (1.33) $ (0.50)
Basic net income (loss) per share $ 0.46 $ 0.20 $ 0.16 $ 0.01 $ (0.77) $ (0.42) $ (0.32) $ (0.05) $ 0.83 $ (1.62) $ (0.66)
Diluted net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share $ 0.49 $ 0.32 $ 0.22 $ 0.00 $ (0.67) $ (0.37) $ (0.23) $ 0.01 $ 1.03 $ (1.33) $ (0.50)
Diluted net income (loss) per share $ 0.45 $ 0.20 $ 0.15 $ 0.01 $ (0.77) $ (0.42) $ (0.32) $ (0.05) $ 0.80 $ (1.62) $ (0.66)