Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 393,941	$ 366,378	$ 336,123
Cost of revenues	225,653	214,393	204,652
Gross profit	168,288	151,985	131,471
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing	68,234	63,878	58,528
Research and development	39,608	31,032	26,237
Distribution	32,484	28,579	26,211
General and administrative	41,813	32,781	35,124
Total operating expenses	182,139	156,270	146,100
Loss from operations	(13,851)	(4,285)	(14,629)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense, net	(756)	(1,000)	(1,115)
Other (expense) income, net	(863)	(930)	561
Total other expenses	(1,619)	(1,930)	(554)
Net loss before income taxes	(15,470)	(6,215)	(15,183)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(145)	1,102	1,077
Net loss	(15,325)	(7,317)	(16,260)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,333)	(2,546)	(918)
Net loss attributable to stockholders of NxStage Medical, Inc.	(13,992)	(4,771)	(15,342)
Add: Accretion to redemption value of noncontrolling interests	(481)	0	0
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$ (14,473)	$ (4,771)	$ (15,342)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.24)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	65,856	64,520	63,384
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized income (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes	$ 1,001	$ (802)	$ (395)
Other income (loss)	1,427	(1,268)	(1,444)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	2,428	(2,070)	(1,839)
Total comprehensive loss	(12,897)	(9,387)	(18,099)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,333)	(2,546)	(918)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to stockholders of NxStage Medical, Inc.	$ (11,564)	$ (6,841)	$ (17,181)