Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 9,318,275	$ 9,723,431	$ 9,772,946
Cost of goods sold	8,146,409	8,536,121	8,558,373
Gross margin	1,171,866	1,187,310	1,214,573
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses	1,016,978	970,424	993,783
Acquisition-related and exit and realignment charges	60,707	24,675	28,404
Other operating (income) expense, net	4,930	(7,388)	(7,973)
Operating earnings	89,251	199,599	200,359
Interest expense, net	31,773	27,057	27,149
Income before income taxes	57,478	172,542	173,210
Income tax (benefit) provision	(15,315)	63,755	69,801
Net income	$ 72,793	$ 108,787	$ 103,409
Net income attributable to Owens & Minor, Inc. per common share:
Basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ 1.20	$ 1.76	$ 1.65
Cash dividends per common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.03	$ 1.02	$ 1.01