Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 9,723,431	$ 9,772,946	$ 9,440,182
Cost of goods sold	8,536,121	8,558,373	8,270,216
Gross margin	1,187,310	1,214,573	1,169,966
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses	970,424	993,783	984,102
Acquisition-related and exit and realignment charges	24,675	28,404	42,801
Other operating income, net	(7,388)	(7,973)	(16,473)
Operating earnings	199,599	200,359	159,536
Loss on early retirement of debt	0	0	14,890
Interest expense, net	27,057	27,149	18,163
Income before income taxes	172,542	173,210	126,483
Income tax provision	63,755	69,801	59,980
Net income	$ 108,787	$ 103,409	$ 66,503
Net income attributable to Owens & Minor, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.76	$ 1.65	$ 1.06
Diluted (in usd per share)	1.76	1.65	1.06
Cash dividends per common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.022	$ 1.01	$ 1.00