Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 9,210,939	$ 9,418,192
Cost of goods sold	8,082,448	8,347,666
Gross margin	1,128,491	1,070,526
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses	1,023,065	952,865
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges	0	413,945
Acquisition-related and exit and realignment charges	30,050	59,101
Other operating expense (income), net	2,225	(3,039)
Operating income (loss)	73,151	(352,346)
Interest expense, net	98,113	70,983
Other expense, net	3,757	3,765
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(28,719)	(427,094)
Income tax benefit	(6,135)	(32,429)
Loss from continuing operations	(22,584)	(394,665)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(39,787)	(42,347)
Net loss	$ (62,371)	$ (437,012)
Net income attributable to Owens & Minor, Inc. per common share:
Continuing operations per basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.37)	$ (6.58)
Discontinued operations per basic and diluted (in usd per share)	(0.66)	(0.70)
Basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ (1.03)	$ (7.28)