Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 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	$ 67,766	$ 68,478
Inventories	9,694	8,868
Deferred income taxes, net	3,284	3,610
Other current assets	5,132	4,280
Total current assets	85,876	85,236
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	231,034	236,905
Property and office equipment, net	33,251	30,094
Total property and equipment, net	264,285	266,999
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	335,577	335,577		325,911
Other intangibles, net	227,335	234,391
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	15,676	15,210
Total assets	928,749	937,413
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,382	6,223
Book overdrafts	4,186	3,905
Accounts payable	25,926	26,036
Accrued compensation	14,056	16,956
Accrued interest	18,878	13,845
Dividend payable	88	88
Other accrued expenses	12,390	11,641
Total current liabilities	80,906	78,694
Long-term debt, less current portion	703,878	692,791
Pension and other long-term liabilities	15,134	14,377
Payable to Parent	21,835	21,640
Deferred income taxes, net	69,386	69,036
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Common stock
Additional paid-in capital	214,481	214,481
Accumulated deficit	(168,065)	(144,864)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,086)	(9,086)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	37,330	60,531
Noncontrolling interest	280	344
Total equity	37,610	60,875	95,069	93,187
Total liabilities and equity	928,749	937,413
Parent Issuer UHS
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	60,371	60,805
Due from affiliates	28,800	25,138
Inventories	6,151	5,771
Deferred income taxes, net	2,255	2,581
Other current assets	4,918	4,015
Total current assets	102,495	98,310
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	216,899	222,045
Property and office equipment, net	30,582	28,250
Total property and equipment, net	247,481	250,295
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	283,141	283,141
Investment in subsidiary	53,442	54,906
Other intangibles, net	206,622	211,999
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	15,352	14,876
Total assets	908,533	913,527
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	4,183	5,038
Book overdrafts	3,503	3,644
Accounts payable	23,296	20,083
Accrued compensation	12,131	15,005
Accrued interest	18,878	13,845
Dividend payable	88	88
Other accrued expenses	10,403	9,782
Total current liabilities	72,482	67,485
Long-term debt, less current portion	702,282	691,565
Pension and other long-term liabilities	13,414	12,679
Payable to Parent	21,835	21,640
Deferred income taxes, net	61,190	59,627
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	214,481	214,481
Accumulated deficit	(161,488)	(139,751)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	(6,577)	(5,113)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,086)	(9,086)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	37,330	60,531
Total equity	37,330	60,531
Total liabilities and equity	908,533	913,527
Subsidiary Guarantor Surgical Services
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	7,395	7,673
Inventories	3,543	3,097
Deferred income taxes, net	1,029	1,029
Other current assets	214	265
Total current assets	12,181	12,064
Property and equipment, net:
Medical equipment, net	14,135	14,860
Property and office equipment, net	2,669	1,844
Total property and equipment, net	16,804	16,704
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	52,436	52,436
Other intangibles, net	20,713	22,392
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	324	334
Total assets	102,458	103,930
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	1,199	1,185
Book overdrafts	683	261
Due to affiliates	28,800	25,138
Accounts payable	2,630	5,953
Accrued compensation	1,925	1,951
Other accrued expenses	1,987	1,859
Total current liabilities	37,224	36,347
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,596	1,226
Pension and other long-term liabilities	1,720	1,698
Deferred income taxes, net	8,196	9,409
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	60,019	60,019
Accumulated deficit	(6,577)	(5,113)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	53,442	54,906
Noncontrolling interest	280	344
Total equity	53,722	55,250
Total liabilities and equity	102,458	103,930
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Due from affiliates	(28,800)	(25,138)
Total current assets	(28,800)	(25,138)
Other long-term assets:
Investment in subsidiary	(53,442)	(54,906)
Total assets	(82,242)	(80,044)
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	(28,800)	(25,138)
Total current liabilities	(28,800)	(25,138)
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	(60,019)	(60,019)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	6,577	5,113
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	(53,442)	(54,906)
Total equity	(53,442)	(54,906)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (82,242)	$ (80,044)