Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 9,772,946	$ 9,440,182	$ 9,071,532
Cost of goods sold	8,558,373	8,270,216	7,954,457
Gross margin	1,214,573	1,169,966	1,117,075
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	933,596	926,977	863,656
Acquisition-related and exit and realignment charges	28,404	42,801	12,444
Depreciation and amortization	60,187	57,125	50,586
Other operating income, net	(7,973)	(16,473)	(7,694)
Operating earnings	200,359	159,536	198,083
Loss on early retirement of debt	0	14,890	0
Interest expense, net	27,149	18,163	13,098
Income before income taxes	173,210	126,483	184,985
Income tax provision	69,801	59,980	74,103
Net income	$ 103,409	$ 66,503	$ 110,882
Net income attributable to Owens & Minor, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.65	$ 1.06	$ 1.76
Diluted (in usd per share)	1.65	1.06	1.76
Cash dividends per common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.00	$ 0.96