Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 67,342	$ 69,667
Inventories	9,761	9,481
Deferred income taxes, net	1,494	1,841
Other current assets	6,546	4,438
Total current assets	85,143	85,427
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	585,933	584,078
Property and office equipment	83,294	80,696
Accumulated depreciation	(434,717)	(405,443)
Total property and equipment, net	234,510	259,331
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	335,577	335,577
Other intangibles, net	176,016	220,631
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	12,852	14,649
Total assets	844,098	915,615
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,777	6,487
Book overdrafts	4,923	9,469
Accounts payable	30,041	32,502
Accrued compensation	15,457	11,714
Accrued interest	6,562	18,884
Dividend payable	50	73
Other accrued expenses	11,226	11,031
Total current liabilities	74,036	90,160
Long-term debt, less current portion	715,851	704,284
Pension and other long-term liabilities	6,535	7,425
Payable to Parent	23,420	22,669
Deferred income taxes, net	54,165	68,057
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Common stock
Additional paid-in capital	214,494	214,505
Accumulated deficit	(240,712)	(187,901)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,884)	(3,884)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	(30,102)	22,720
Noncontrolling interest	193	300
Total equity	(29,909)	23,020	28,497	60,875
Total liabilities and equity	844,098	915,615
Ownership interest in subsidiary (as a percent)	100.00%
UHS Holdco, Inc., (Parent)
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	59,260	61,709
Due from affiliates	31,003	28,299
Inventories	5,310	5,887
Deferred income taxes, net	394	1,045
Other current assets	6,201	4,211
Total current assets	102,168	101,151
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	547,501	549,306
Property and office equipment	76,548	74,336
Accumulated depreciation	(406,019)	(381,387)
Total property and equipment, net	218,030	242,255
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	283,141	283,141
Investment in subsidiary	53,287	53,963
Other intangibles, net	159,463	201,596
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	12,683	14,409
Total assets	828,772	896,515
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,083	5,248
Book overdrafts	4,332	7,949
Accounts payable	27,160	28,935
Accrued compensation	12,643	9,333
Accrued interest	6,562	18,884
Dividend payable	50	73
Other accrued expenses	11,095	10,950
Total current liabilities	66,925	81,372
Long-term debt, less current portion	714,031	702,381
Pension and other long-term liabilities	6,535	7,425
Payable to Parent	23,420	22,669
Deferred income taxes, net	47,952	59,948
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	214,505	214,505
Accumulated deficit	(233,980)	(181,845)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	(6,732)	(6,056)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,884)	(3,884)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	(30,091)	22,720
Total equity	(30,091)	22,720
Total liabilities and equity	828,772	896,515
Subsidiary Guarantor Surgical Services
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	8,082	7,958
Inventories	4,451	3,594
Deferred income taxes, net	1,100	796
Other current assets	345	227
Total current assets	13,978	12,575
Property and equipment:
Medical equipment	38,432	34,772
Property and office equipment	6,746	6,360
Accumulated depreciation	(28,698)	(24,056)
Total property and equipment, net	16,480	17,076
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	52,436	52,436
Other intangibles, net	16,553	19,035
Other, primarily deferred financing costs, net	169	240
Total assets	99,616	101,362
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	694	1,239
Book overdrafts	591	1,520
Due to affiliates	31,003	28,299
Accounts payable	2,881	3,567
Accrued compensation	2,814	2,381
Other accrued expenses	131	81
Total current liabilities	38,114	37,087
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,820	1,903
Deferred income taxes, net	6,213	8,109
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	60,008	60,019
Accumulated deficit	(6,732)	(6,056)
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	53,276	53,963
Noncontrolling interest	193	300
Total equity	53,469	54,263
Total liabilities and equity	99,616	101,362
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Due from affiliates	(31,003)	(28,299)
Total current assets	(31,003)	(28,299)
Other long-term assets:
Investment in subsidiary	(53,287)	(53,963)
Total assets	(84,290)	(82,262)
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	(31,003)	(28,299)
Total current liabilities	(31,003)	(28,299)
Equity
Additional paid-in capital	(60,019)	(60,019)
Accumulated loss in subsidiary	6,732	6,056
Total Universal Hospital Services, Inc. equity	(53,287)	(53,963)
Total equity	(53,287)	(53,963)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (84,290)	$ (82,262)