Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidating Financial Statements
Consolidated net loss	$ (21,392)	$ (5,586)	$ (22,022)	$ (14,044)	$ (21,939)	$ (29,111)	$ (18,573)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss on minimum pension liability, net of tax		1,970	2,887	5,254	(4,136)
Gain on cash flow hedge, net of tax					7,088
Total other comprehensive income		1,970	2,887	5,254	2,952
Comprehensive income (loss)	(21,392)	(3,616)	(19,135)	(8,790)	(18,987)	(27,252)	(14,460)
Comprehensive income attributable to non controlling interest	202	159	568	297	451
Comprehensive loss attributable to Universal Hospital Services, Inc.	(21,594)	(3,775)	(19,703)	(9,087)	(19,438)	(27,252)	(14,460)
UHS Holdco, Inc, (Parent)
Consolidating Financial Statements
Consolidated net loss	(21,392)	(5,586)	(22,022)	(14,044)	(21,939)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss on minimum pension liability, net of tax		1,970	2,887	5,254	(4,136)
Gain on cash flow hedge, net of tax					7,088
Total other comprehensive income		1,970	2,887	5,254	2,952
Comprehensive income (loss)	(21,392)	(3,616)	(19,135)	(8,790)	(18,987)
Comprehensive income attributable to non controlling interest	202	159	568	297	451
Comprehensive loss attributable to Universal Hospital Services, Inc.	(21,594)	(3,775)	(19,703)	(9,087)	(19,438)
Subsidiary Guarantor Surgical Services
Consolidating Financial Statements
Consolidated net loss	(163)	573	(1,372)	900	(1,354)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income (loss)	(163)	573	(1,372)	900	(1,354)
Comprehensive income attributable to non controlling interest	202	159	568	297	451
Comprehensive loss attributable to Universal Hospital Services, Inc.	(365)	414	(1,940)	603	(1,805)
Consolidating Adjustments
Consolidating Financial Statements
Consolidated net loss	163	(573)	1,372	(900)	1,354
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income (loss)	163	(573)	1,372	(900)	1,354
Comprehensive income attributable to non controlling interest	(202)	(159)	(568)	(297)	(451)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Universal Hospital Services, Inc.	$ 365	$ (414)	$ 1,940	$ (603)	$ 1,805

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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- Definition

Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the parent entity.

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Net of tax amount, before reclassification adjustments, of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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