Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 9,440,182	$ 9,071,532	$ 8,868,324
Cost of goods sold	8,270,216	7,954,457	7,943,670
Gross margin	1,169,966	1,117,075	924,654
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	926,977	863,656	682,595
Acquisition-related and exit and realignment charges	42,801	12,444	10,164
Depreciation and amortization	57,125	50,586	39,604
Other operating income, net	(16,473)	(7,694)	(4,462)
Operating earnings	159,536	198,083	196,753
Loss on early retirement of debt	14,890	0	0
Interest expense, net	18,163	13,098	13,397
Income before income taxes	126,483	184,985	183,356
Income tax provision	59,980	74,103	74,353
Net income	$ 66,503	$ 110,882	$ 109,003
Net income attributable to Owens & Minor, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.06	$ 1.76	$ 1.72
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 1.06	$ 1.76	$ 1.72
Cash dividends per common share (in usd per share)	$ 1	$ 0.960	$ 0.880