Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidating Financial Statements
Ownership interest in subsidiary (as a percent)	100.00%
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 73,977	$ 68,478
Inventories	9,455	8,868
Deferred income taxes, net	3,595	3,610
Other current assets	4,277	4,280
Total current assets	91,304	85,236
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	235,465	236,905
Property and office equipment, net	30,258	30,094
Total property and equipment, net	265,723	266,999
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	335,577	335,577		325,911
Other intangibles, net	230,828	234,391
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	16,492	15,210
Total assets	939,924	937,413
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,959	6,223
Book overdrafts	6,174	3,905
Accounts payable	30,467	26,036
Accrued compensation	20,311	16,956
Accrued interest	6,512	13,845
Dividend payable	88	88
Other accrued expenses	12,418	11,641
Total current liabilities	81,929	78,694
Long-term debt, less current portion	701,518	692,791
Pension and other long-term liabilities	14,893	14,377
Payable to Parent	21,444	21,640
Deferred income taxes, net	69,641	69,036
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Common stock
Additional paid-in capital	214,481	214,481
Accumulated deficit	(155,222)	(144,864)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,086)	(9,086)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	50,173	60,531
Non controlling interest	326	344
Total equity	50,499	60,875	91,780	93,187
Total liabilities and equity	939,924	937,413
Parent Issuer UHS
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	67,317	60,805
Due from affiliates	26,450	25,138
Inventories	5,994	5,771
Deferred income taxes, net	2,566	2,581
Other current assets	4,091	4,015
Total current assets	106,418	98,310
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	220,536	222,045
Property and office equipment, net	28,406	28,250
Total property and equipment, net	248,942	250,295
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	283,141	283,141
Investment in subsidiary	54,130	54,906
Other intangibles, net	209,275	211,999
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	16,146	14,876
Total assets	918,052	913,527
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	4,964	5,038
Book overdrafts	5,086	3,644
Accounts payable	27,525	20,083
Accrued compensation	17,530	15,005
Accrued interest	6,512	13,845
Dividend payable	88	88
Other accrued expenses	10,466	9,782
Total current liabilities	72,171	67,485
Long-term debt, less current portion	700,331	691,565
Pension and other long-term liabilities	13,184	12,679
Payable to Parent	21,444	21,640
Deferred income taxes, net	60,749	59,627
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	214,481	214,481
Accumulated deficit	(149,333)	(139,751)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	(5,889)	(5,113)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,086)	(9,086)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	50,173	60,531
Total equity	50,173	60,531
Total liabilities and equity	918,052	913,527
Subsidiary Guarantor Surgical Services
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	6,660	7,673
Inventories	3,461	3,097
Deferred income taxes, net	1,029	1,029
Other current assets	186	265
Total current assets	11,336	12,064
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	14,929	14,860
Property and office equipment, net	1,852	1,844
Total property and equipment, net	16,781	16,704
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	52,436	52,436
Other intangibles, net	21,553	22,392
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	346	334
Total assets	102,452	103,930
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	995	1,185
Book overdrafts	1,088	261
Due to affiliates	26,450	25,138
Accounts payable	2,942	5,953
Accrued compensation	2,781	1,951
Other accrued expenses	1,952	1,859
Total current liabilities	36,208	36,347
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,187	1,226
Pension and other long-term liabilities	1,709	1,698
Deferred income taxes, net	8,892	9,409
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	60,019	60,019
Accumulated deficit	(5,889)	(5,113)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	54,130	54,906
Non controlling interest	326	344
Total equity	54,456	55,250
Total liabilities and equity	102,452	103,930
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Due from affiliates	(26,450)	(25,138)
Total current assets	(26,450)	(25,138)
Other long-term assets:
Investment in subsidiary	(54,130)	(54,906)
Total assets	(80,580)	(80,044)
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	(26,450)	(25,138)
Total current liabilities	(26,450)	(25,138)
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	(60,019)	(60,019)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	5,889	5,113
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	(54,130)	(54,906)
Total equity	(54,130)	(54,906)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (80,580)	$ (80,044)