Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 332	$ 1,161	$ 37,747
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	80,535	70,592
Inventories	8,319	6,023
Deferred income taxes	11,012	12,328
Other current assets	5,794	4,392
Total current assets	105,992	94,496
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	248,887	235,887
Property and office equipment, net	30,593	28,460
Total property and equipment, net	279,480	264,347
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	335,416	326,952
Other intangibles, net	239,151	241,440
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	11,857	13,106
Total assets	971,896	940,341
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	6,701	5,627
Interest rate swap		4,755
Book overdrafts	2,887	3,614
Accounts payable	31,760	31,359
Accrued compensation	10,772	11,571
Accrued interest	4,074	4,937
Dividend payable	780	771
Other accrued expenses	11,590	10,054
Total current liabilities	68,564	72,688
Long-term debt, less current portion	696,663	665,470
Pension and other long-term liabilities	13,655	12,981
Payable to Parent	20,547	19,019
Deferred income taxes	76,357	75,657
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Common stock
Additional paid-in capital	214,294	214,294
Accumulated deficit	(109,623)	(108,327)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,940)	(11,827)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	95,731	94,140
Non controlling interest	379	386
Total equity	96,110	94,526	108,338	146,739
Total liabilities and equity	971,896	940,341
Parent Issuer UHS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			35,914
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	71,851	64,898
Due from (to) affiliates	24,190	4,130
Inventories	5,644	4,681
Deferred income taxes	10,735	11,893
Other current assets	5,037	3,855
Total current assets	117,457	89,457
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	235,542	227,234
Property and office equipment, net	29,319	28,116
Total property and equipment, net	264,861	255,350
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	283,141	283,141
Investment in subsidiary	56,640	58,301
Other intangibles, net	217,447	223,487
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	11,773	13,036
Total assets	951,319	922,772
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,566	4,253
Interest rate swap		4,755
Book overdrafts	2,887	3,614
Accounts payable	29,187	29,852
Accrued compensation	9,548	10,084
Accrued interest	4,074	4,937
Dividend payable	780	771
Other accrued expenses	9,651	8,577
Total current liabilities	61,693	66,843
Long-term debt, less current portion	695,399	663,649
Pension and other long-term liabilities	11,980	11,328
Payable to Parent	20,547	19,019
Deferred income taxes	65,969	67,793
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	214,294	214,294
Accumulated deficit	(106,244)	(106,609)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	(3,379)	(1,718)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,940)	(11,827)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	95,731	94,140
Total equity	95,731	94,140
Total liabilities and equity	951,319	922,772
Subsidiary Guarantor Surgical Services
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	332	1,161	1,833	1,480
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	8,684	5,694
Due from (to) affiliates	(24,190)	(4,130)
Inventories	2,675	1,342
Deferred income taxes	277	435
Other current assets	757	537
Total current assets	(11,465)	5,039
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	13,345	8,653
Property and office equipment, net	1,274	344
Total property and equipment, net	14,619	8,997
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	52,275	43,811
Other intangibles, net	21,704	17,953
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	84	70
Total assets	77,217	75,870
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	1,135	1,374
Accounts payable	2,573	1,507
Accrued compensation	1,224	1,487
Other accrued expenses	1,939	1,477
Total current liabilities	6,871	5,845
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,264	1,821
Pension and other long-term liabilities	1,675	1,653
Deferred income taxes	10,388	7,864
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	60,019	60,019
Accumulated deficit	(3,379)	(1,718)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	56,640	58,301
Non controlling interest	379	386
Total equity	57,019	58,687
Total liabilities and equity	77,217	75,870
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents				(1,480)
Other long-term assets:
Investment in subsidiary	(56,640)	(58,301)
Total assets	(56,640)	(58,301)
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	(60,019)	(60,019)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	3,379	1,718
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	(56,640)	(58,301)
Total equity	(56,640)	(58,301)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (56,640)	$ (58,301)