<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 19, 1996.
UNIVERSAL HOSPITAL SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota 0-20086 41-0760940
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) File Number) Identification No.)
1250 Northland Plaza, 3800 West 80th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431-4442
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (612) 893-3200
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events
On December 19, 1996, Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (the
"Company") announced that the Special Committee of the Board of Directors,
formed to carry out the process of exploring alternatives for enhancing
shareholder value, and its financial advisor, Piper Jaffray Inc., have received
at least four preliminary indications of interest to acquire the Company from
qualified parties and a preliminary indication of interest from a major
healthcare company to form a strategic alliance. Among the parties interested
in acquiring the Company is a group comprised of certain management employees of
the Company. All such indications of interest are at a very early stage and are
subject to satisfactory due diligence, negotiations and other factors.
Additional alternatives may become available to the Company. The Special
Committee emphasized that no conclusions can or should be drawn at this time as
to the effect this process will have on enhancing shareholder value. A copy of
the press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
99. Press Release dated December 19, 1996.
<PAGE>
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereto duly authorized.
Date: December 20, 1996
UNIVERSAL HOSPITAL SERVICES, INC.
By /s/ Thomas A. Minner
------------------------------
Thomas A. Minner,
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
Page No. in Sequentially
Exhibit Description of Exhibit Numbered Copy
- ------- ---------------------- ----------------------------
99 Press Release dated December 19, 1996
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Thomas A. Minner
President and Chief Executive Officer
612/893-3254
Universal Hospital Services, Inc.
Reviewing Alternatives to Enhance Shareholder Value
BLOOMINGTON, MN (December 19) - Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:UHOS)
reported today that the Special Committee of the Board of Directors and its
financial advisor, Piper Jaffray Inc., have received at least four preliminary
indications of interest to acquire the Company from qualified parties and a
preliminary indication of interest from a major healthcare company to form a
strategic alliance. Among the parties interested in acquiring the Company is a
group comprised of certain management employees of the Company. All such
indications of interest are at a very early stage and are subject to
satisfactory due diligence, negotiations and other factors. Additional
alternatives may become available to the Company. The Special Committee
emphasized that no conclusions can or should be drawn at this time as to the
effect this process will have on enhancing shareholder value.
The Special Committee, comprised of the Company's outside directors, was
established to carry out the process announced November 11, 1996, to explore
alternatives for enhancing shareholder value, including the possible sale of the
Company, giving due consideration to the interests of the Company's employees,
customers and other constituencies.
Universal Hospital Services, Inc., provides movable medical equipment to
hospitals and other healthcare providers through equipment management programs
utilizing Pay-Per-Use as the system for charging customers only for actual
equipment usage.
