Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 11, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MEDICAL ACTION INDUSTRIES INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		16,390,628
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000748270
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3