Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Aug. 12, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	UNIVERSAL HOSPITAL SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000886171
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2