Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	May 14, 2018
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	UNIVERSAL HOSPITAL SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000886171
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1