Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidating Financial Statements
Ownership interest in subsidiary (as a percent)	100.00%
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 96,044	$ 89,637
Inventories	10,244	9,760
Other current assets	6,992	6,836
Total current assets	113,280	106,233
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	632,903	629,193
Property and office equipment	107,347	105,341
Accumulated depreciation	(548,834)	(536,520)
Total property and equipment, net	191,416	198,014
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	346,168	346,168
Other intangibles, net	149,897	151,921
Other	9,564	3,109
Total assets	810,325	805,445
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,042	5,043
Book overdrafts	1,783	5,367
Accounts payable	31,416	36,689
Accrued compensation	14,067	21,498
Accrued interest	6,463	18,671
Other accrued expenses	18,201	17,763
Total current liabilities	76,972	105,031
Long-term debt, less current portion	719,039	698,065
Pension and other long-term liabilities	11,189	11,385
Deferred income taxes, net	35,429	35,342
Commitments and contingencies
(Deficit) Equity
Common stock
Additional paid-in capital	251,041	250,018
Accumulated deficit	(277,123)	(287,998)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,428)	(6,638)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries deficit	(32,510)	(44,618)
Noncontrolling interest	206	240
Total deficit	(32,304)	(44,378)	$ (60,493)	$ (59,485)
Total liabilities and deficit	810,325	805,445
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Due from affiliates	(29,561)	(31,590)
Total current assets	(29,561)	(31,590)
Other long-term assets:
Investment in subsidiary	(78,541)	(76,606)
Total assets	(108,102)	(108,196)
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	(29,561)	(31,590)
Total current liabilities	(29,561)	(31,590)
(Deficit) Equity
Additional paid-in capital	(76,018)	(76,018)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	(2,523)	(588)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries deficit	(78,541)	(76,606)
Total deficit	(78,541)	(76,606)
Total liabilities and deficit	(108,102)	(108,196)
Parent Issuer UHS
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	83,433	76,093
Due from affiliates	29,561	31,590
Inventories	4,046	3,800
Other current assets	6,203	6,127
Total current assets	123,243	117,610
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	567,284	564,316
Property and office equipment	94,547	92,414
Accumulated depreciation	(496,171)	(485,960)
Total property and equipment, net	165,660	170,770
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	283,141	283,141
Investment in subsidiary	78,541	76,606
Other intangibles, net	135,738	136,563
Other	7,918	2,411
Total assets	794,241	787,101
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	3,419	3,451
Book overdrafts	3,056	5,345
Accounts payable	24,744	29,842
Accrued compensation	11,990	18,696
Accrued interest	6,463	18,671
Other accrued expenses	16,111	16,018
Total current liabilities	65,783	92,023
Long-term debt, less current portion	715,518	694,171
Pension and other long-term liabilities	11,186	11,384
Deferred income taxes, net	34,249	34,126
(Deficit) Equity
Additional paid-in capital	251,056	250,033
Accumulated deficit	(279,646)	(288,586)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	2,523	588
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,428)	(6,638)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries deficit	(32,495)	(44,603)
Total deficit	(32,495)	(44,603)
Total liabilities and deficit	794,241	787,101
Subsidiary Guarantor
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	12,611	13,544
Inventories	6,198	5,960
Other current assets	789	709
Total current assets	19,598	20,213
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	65,619	64,877
Property and office equipment	12,800	12,927
Accumulated depreciation	(52,663)	(50,560)
Total property and equipment, net	25,756	27,244
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	63,027	63,027
Other intangibles, net	14,159	15,358
Other	1,646	698
Total assets	124,186	126,540
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	1,623	1,592
Book overdrafts	(1,273)	22
Due to affiliates	29,561	31,590
Accounts payable	6,672	6,847
Accrued compensation	2,077	2,802
Other accrued expenses	2,090	1,745
Total current liabilities	40,750	44,598
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,521	3,894
Pension and other long-term liabilities	3	1
Deferred income taxes, net	1,180	1,216
(Deficit) Equity
Additional paid-in capital	76,003	76,003
Accumulated deficit	2,523	588
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries deficit	78,526	76,591
Noncontrolling interest	206	240
Total deficit	78,732	76,831
Total liabilities and deficit	$ 124,186	$ 126,540