Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Consolidating Financial Statements
Ownership interest in subsidiary (as a percent)	100.00%
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 84,033	$ 84,264
Inventories	10,518	11,085
Other current assets	7,272	11,098
Total current assets	101,823	106,447
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	618,808	618,052
Property and office equipment	97,904	94,846
Accumulated depreciation	(524,054)	(504,249)
Total property and equipment, net	192,658	208,649
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	346,124	343,766
Other intangibles, net	155,300	157,371
Other	3,172	1,890
Total assets	799,077	818,123
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	4,963	5,454
Book overdrafts	6,135	10,700
Accounts payable	24,183	38,819
Accrued compensation	15,741	19,906
Accrued interest	18,639	18,696
Other accrued expenses	17,349	16,676
Total current liabilities	87,010	110,251
Long-term debt, less current portion	705,819	701,863
Pension and other long-term liabilities	12,777	12,277
Deferred income taxes, net	53,421	53,217
Commitments and contingencies
(Deficit) Equity
Common stock
Additional paid-in capital	248,466	244,986
Accumulated deficit	(301,179)	(296,826)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,455)	(7,826)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. deficit	(60,168)	(59,666)
Noncontrolling interest	218	181
Total deficit	(59,950)	(59,485)	$ (52,653)	$ (49,158)
Total liabilities and deficit	799,077	818,123
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Due from affiliates	(34,500)	(28,523)
Total current assets	(34,500)	(28,523)
Other long-term assets:
Investment in subsidiary	(74,010)	(72,624)
Total assets	(108,510)	(101,147)
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	(34,500)	(28,523)
Total current liabilities	(34,500)	(28,523)
(Deficit) Equity
Additional paid-in capital	(76,028)	(75,814)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	2,018	3,190
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. deficit	(74,010)	(72,624)
Total deficit	(74,010)	(72,624)
Total liabilities and deficit	(108,510)	(101,147)
Parent Issuer UHS
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	72,183	71,802
Due from affiliates	34,500	28,523
Inventories	4,750	4,754
Other current assets	6,718	10,501
Total current assets	118,151	115,580
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	559,405	562,422
Property and office equipment	86,444	83,716
Accumulated depreciation	(477,830)	(462,167)
Total property and equipment, net	168,019	183,971
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	283,141	283,141
Investment in subsidiary	74,010	72,624
Other intangibles, net	138,212	140,944
Other	2,356	1,397
Total assets	783,889	797,657
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	3,530	3,990
Book overdrafts	5,641	9,834
Accounts payable	20,608	31,586
Accrued compensation	13,412	17,196
Accrued interest	18,639	18,696
Other accrued expenses	15,964	15,426
Total current liabilities	77,794	96,728
Long-term debt, less current portion	702,428	698,050
Pension and other long-term liabilities	12,776	12,274
Deferred income taxes, net	51,044	50,256
(Deficit) Equity
Additional paid-in capital	248,481	245,001
Accumulated deficit	(299,161)	(293,636)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	(2,018)	(3,190)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,455)	(7,826)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. deficit	(60,153)	(59,651)
Total deficit	(60,153)	(59,651)
Total liabilities and deficit	783,889	797,657
Subsidiary Guarantor
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	11,850	12,462
Inventories	5,768	6,331
Other current assets	554	597
Total current assets	18,172	19,390
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	59,403	55,630
Property and office equipment	11,460	11,130
Accumulated depreciation	(46,224)	(42,082)
Total property and equipment, net	24,639	24,678
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	62,983	60,625
Other intangibles, net	17,088	16,427
Other	816	493
Total assets	123,698	121,613
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	1,433	1,464
Book overdrafts	494	866
Due to affiliates	34,500	28,523
Accounts payable	3,575	7,233
Accrued compensation	2,329	2,710
Other accrued expenses	1,385	1,250
Total current liabilities	43,716	42,046
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,391	3,813
Pension and other long-term liabilities	1	3
Deferred income taxes, net	2,377	2,961
(Deficit) Equity
Additional paid-in capital	76,013	75,799
Accumulated deficit	(2,018)	(3,190)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. deficit	73,995	72,609
Noncontrolling interest	218	181
Total deficit	74,213	72,790
Total liabilities and deficit	$ 123,698	$ 121,613