Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 28, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Mar. 30, 2012
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 122,351		$ 34,848	$ 122,351		$ 34,848
Accounts receivable, net	194,255			194,255			189,542
Inventories	165,629			165,629			147,198
Intercompany receivable (payable)	0			0			0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	52,724			52,724			44,186
Assets held for sale	281,163	[1]		281,163	[1]		277,378	[1]
Total current assets	816,122			816,122			821,456
Property and equipment, net	84,008			84,008			80,151
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Goodwill	142,473			142,473			109,457
Intangibles, net	52,802			52,802			33,546
Investment in subsidiaries	0			0			0
Other assets	116,564			116,564			111,360
Total assets	1,211,969	[1]		1,211,969	[1]		1,155,970	[1]
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	132,071			132,071			118,719
Accrued expenses	36,096			36,096			37,436
Other current liabilities	12,635			12,635			8,015
Liabilities held for sale	47,186	[1]		47,186	[1]		37,640	[1]
Total current liabilities	227,988			227,988			201,810
Revolving line of credit and long-term debt, excluding current portion	459,845			459,845			454,916
Other noncurrent liabilities	112,937			112,937			108,433
Total liabilities	800,770	[1]		800,770	[1]		765,159
Equity [Abstract]
Total PSS World Medical, Inc. shareholders' equity	407,600			407,600			387,128
Noncontrolling interest	3,599			3,599			3,683
Total equity	411,199			411,199			390,811
Total liabilities and equity	1,211,969			1,211,969			1,155,970
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	420,798		391,710	830,187		772,201
Cost of goods sold	278,622		261,784	551,722		519,601
Gross profit	142,176		129,926	278,465		252,600
General and administrative expenses	78,270		67,663	157,952		139,611
Selling expenses	36,935		32,219	72,288		62,979
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	0		0	0		0
Income from operations	26,971		30,044	48,225		50,010
Other Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense	(8,538)		(4,611)	(17,042)		(9,081)
Interest Income	13		17	27		44
Other income, net	243		437	723		969
Other expense, net	(8,282)		(4,157)	(16,292)		(8,068)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	18,689		25,887	31,933		41,942
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	5,896		9,540	10,294		15,439
Income from continuing operations	12,793		16,347	21,639		26,503
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	2,604		3,778	4,291		7,767
Net income	15,397		20,125	25,930		34,270
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	127		94	(84)		49
Net income attributable to PSS World Medical, Inc.	15,270		20,031	26,014		34,221
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities				48,462		57,483
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired				(68,738)		(10,036)
Capital expenditures				(11,034)		(9,688)
Other				(170)		(48)
Net cash used in investing activities, discontinued operations				(1,230)		(1,530)
Net cash used in investing activities				(81,172)		(21,302)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Purchase and retirement of common stock				(7,740)		(80,905)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements				315		1,269
Payment for debt issuance costs				(676)		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				10		337
Proceeds from borrowings on the revolving line of credit				0		131,583
Repayments on the revolving line of credit				0		(81,583)
Payment of contingent consideration on business acquisitions				0		(1,000)
Payments under capital lease obligations				0		(360)
Intercompany dividend				0		0
Net cash used in financing activities, discontinued operations				0		(22)
Net cash used in financing activities				(8,091)		(30,681)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents				(40,801)		5,500
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				163,152		29,348
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	122,351		34,848	122,351		34,848
Parent Company [Member]
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	47,515		14,204	47,515		14,204
Accounts receivable, net	133,691			133,691			137,214
Inventories	120,559			120,559			113,635
Intercompany receivable (payable)	369,087			369,087			290,404
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	47,374			47,374			39,483
Assets held for sale	27,911			27,911			26,975
Total current assets	746,137			746,137			725,159
Property and equipment, net	38,427			38,427			39,854
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Goodwill	33,101			33,101			31,319
Intangibles, net	9,883			9,883			10,435
Investment in subsidiaries	169,019			169,019			184,218
Other assets	100,202			100,202			95,951
Total assets	1,096,769			1,096,769			1,086,936
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	107,440			107,440			122,254
Accrued expenses	17,455			17,455			20,211
Other current liabilities	1,957			1,957			2,667
Liabilities held for sale	5,468			5,468			4,025
Total current liabilities	132,320			132,320			149,157
Revolving line of credit and long-term debt, excluding current portion	459,845			459,845			454,916
Other noncurrent liabilities	93,405			93,405			92,052
Total liabilities	685,570			685,570			696,125
Equity [Abstract]
Total PSS World Medical, Inc. shareholders' equity	411,199			411,199			390,811
Noncontrolling interest	0			0			0
Total equity	411,199			411,199			390,811
Total liabilities and equity	1,096,769			1,096,769			1,086,936
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	298,495		293,019	596,655		579,863
Cost of goods sold	209,910		208,033	421,217		413,832
Gross profit	88,585		84,986	175,438		166,031
General and administrative expenses	51,038		47,286	105,331		98,259
Selling expenses	27,254		25,130	53,711		48,967
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	10,490		7,184	16,452		11,194
Income from operations	20,783		19,754	32,848		29,999
Other Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense	(8,531)		(4,483)	(17,024)		(8,807)
Interest Income	351		324	705		667
Other income, net	83		295	378		608
Other expense, net	(8,097)		(3,864)	(15,941)		(7,532)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	12,686		15,890	16,907		22,467
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(7,694)		(3,272)	(16,698)		(9,716)
Income from continuing operations	20,380		19,162	33,605		32,183
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	1,152		958	2,307		2,077
Net income	21,532		20,120	35,912		34,260
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0	0		0
Net income attributable to PSS World Medical, Inc.	21,532		20,120	35,912		34,260
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities				(79,189)		12,283
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired				(2,509)		(334)
Capital expenditures				(1,749)		(1,458)
Other				(28)		(48)
Net cash used in investing activities, discontinued operations				(37)		(23)
Net cash used in investing activities				(4,323)		(1,863)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Purchase and retirement of common stock				(7,740)		(80,905)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements				315		1,269
Payment for debt issuance costs				(676)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				10		337
Proceeds from borrowings on the revolving line of credit						131,583
Repayments on the revolving line of credit						(81,583)
Payment of contingent consideration on business acquisitions						0
Payments under capital lease obligations						(18)
Intercompany dividend				21,670		19,200
Net cash used in financing activities, discontinued operations				0		0
Net cash used in financing activities				13,579		(10,117)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents				(69,933)		303
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				117,448		13,901
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	47,515		14,204	47,515		14,204
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	18,087		8,617	18,087		8,617
Accounts receivable, net	60,564			60,564			22,591
Inventories	44,813			44,813			33,310
Intercompany receivable (payable)	(337,760)			(337,760)			(253,925)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,647			4,647			4,590
Assets held for sale	253,886			253,886			250,522
Total current assets	44,237			44,237			70,617
Property and equipment, net	45,491			45,491			40,189
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Goodwill	109,372			109,372			78,138
Intangibles, net	42,919			42,919			23,111
Investment in subsidiaries	32,846			32,846			23,942
Other assets	16,326			16,326			15,373
Total assets	291,191			291,191			251,370
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	24,201			24,201			(4,121)
Accrued expenses	18,596			18,596			17,176
Other current liabilities	10,692			10,692			5,348
Liabilities held for sale	43,214			43,214			36,456
Total current liabilities	96,703			96,703			54,859
Revolving line of credit and long-term debt, excluding current portion	0			0			0
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,532			19,532			16,381
Total liabilities	116,235			116,235			71,240
Equity [Abstract]
Total PSS World Medical, Inc. shareholders' equity	174,406			174,406			179,536
Noncontrolling interest	550			550			594
Total equity	174,956			174,956			180,130
Total liabilities and equity	291,191			291,191			251,370
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	120,368		95,681	220,580		185,977
Cost of goods sold	67,339		53,129	118,713		104,537
Gross profit	53,029		42,552	101,867		81,440
General and administrative expenses	26,073		19,394	50,347		39,444
Selling expenses	9,681		7,089	18,577		14,012
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	5,584		1,483	8,860		3,347
Income from operations	22,859		17,552	41,803		31,331
Other Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense	(7)		(128)	(18)		(274)
Interest Income	(338)		(307)	(678)		(623)
Other income, net	161		146	347		373
Other expense, net	(184)		(289)	(349)		(524)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	22,675		17,263	41,454		30,807
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	13,590		12,812	26,992		25,155
Income from continuing operations	9,085		4,451	14,462		5,652
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	1,405		2,733	1,990		5,542
Net income	10,490		7,184	16,452		11,194
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(29)		84	(44)		55
Net income attributable to PSS World Medical, Inc.	10,519		7,100	16,496		11,139
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities				103,101		45,018
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired				(66,229)		(9,702)
Capital expenditures				(9,284)		(8,227)
Other				(142)		0
Net cash used in investing activities, discontinued operations				(1,218)		(1,476)
Net cash used in investing activities				(76,873)		(19,405)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Purchase and retirement of common stock				0		0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements				0		0
Payment for debt issuance costs				0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				0		0
Proceeds from borrowings on the revolving line of credit						0
Repayments on the revolving line of credit						0
Payment of contingent consideration on business acquisitions						(1,000)
Payments under capital lease obligations						(342)
Intercompany dividend				(21,670)		(19,200)
Net cash used in financing activities, discontinued operations				0		(22)
Net cash used in financing activities				(21,670)		(20,564)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents				4,558		5,049
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				13,529		3,568
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	18,087		8,617	18,087		8,617
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	56,749		12,027	56,749		12,027
Accounts receivable, net	0			0			29,737
Inventories	257			257			253
Intercompany receivable (payable)	(23,111)			(23,111)			(37,043)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	703			703			113
Assets held for sale	2,080			2,080			2,526
Total current assets	36,678			36,678			27,761
Property and equipment, net	90			90			108
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Goodwill	0			0			0
Intangibles, net	0			0			0
Investment in subsidiaries	0			0			0
Other assets	36			36			36
Total assets	36,804			36,804			27,905
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	430			430			586
Accrued expenses	45			45			49
Other current liabilities	(14)			(14)			0
Liabilities held for sale	3,308			3,308			3,095
Total current liabilities	3,769			3,769			3,730
Revolving line of credit and long-term debt, excluding current portion	0			0			0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0			0			0
Total liabilities	3,769			3,769			3,730
Equity [Abstract]
Total PSS World Medical, Inc. shareholders' equity	33,035			33,035			24,175
Noncontrolling interest	0			0			0
Total equity	33,035			33,035			24,175
Total liabilities and equity	36,804			36,804			27,905
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	30,331		3,010	53,475		6,361
Cost of goods sold	23,629		622	42,323		1,232
Gross profit	6,702		2,388	11,152		5,129
General and administrative expenses	1,159		983	2,274		1,908
Selling expenses	0		0	0		0
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	0		0	0		0
Income from operations	5,543		1,405	8,878		3,221
Other Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense	0		0	0		0
Interest Income	0		0	0		0
Other income, net	(1)		(4)	(2)		(12)
Other expense, net	(1)		(4)	(2)		(12)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	5,542		1,401	8,876		3,209
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	0		0	0		0
Income from continuing operations	5,542		1,401	8,876		3,209
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	42		82	(16)		138
Net income	5,584		1,483	8,860		3,347
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0	0		0
Net income attributable to PSS World Medical, Inc.	5,584		1,483	8,860		3,347
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities				24,472		148
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired				0		0
Capital expenditures				(1)		(3)
Other				0		0
Net cash used in investing activities, discontinued operations				25		(31)
Net cash used in investing activities				24		(34)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Purchase and retirement of common stock				0		0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements				0		0
Payment for debt issuance costs				0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				0		0
Proceeds from borrowings on the revolving line of credit						0
Repayments on the revolving line of credit						0
Payment of contingent consideration on business acquisitions						0
Payments under capital lease obligations						0
Intercompany dividend				0		0
Net cash used in financing activities, discontinued operations				78		34
Net cash used in financing activities				78		34
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents				24,574		148
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				32,175		11,879
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	56,749		12,027	56,749		12,027
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0	0		0
Accounts receivable, net	0			0			0
Inventories	0			0			0
Intercompany receivable (payable)	(8,216)			(8,216)			564
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0			0			0
Assets held for sale	(2,714)			(2,714)			(2,645)
Total current assets	(10,930)			(10,930)			(2,081)
Property and equipment, net	0			0			0
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Goodwill	0			0			0
Intangibles, net	0			0			0
Investment in subsidiaries	(201,865)			(201,865)			(208,160)
Other assets	0			0			0
Total assets	(212,795)			(212,795)			(210,241)
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	0			0			0
Accrued expenses	0			0			0
Other current liabilities	0			0			0
Liabilities held for sale	(4,804)			(4,804)			(5,936)
Total current liabilities	(4,804)			(4,804)			(5,936)
Revolving line of credit and long-term debt, excluding current portion	0			0			0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0			0			0
Total liabilities	(4,804)			(4,804)			(5,936)
Equity [Abstract]
Total PSS World Medical, Inc. shareholders' equity	(211,040)			(211,040)			(207,394)
Noncontrolling interest	3,049			3,049			3,089
Total equity	(207,991)			(207,991)			(204,305)
Total liabilities and equity	(212,795)			(212,795)			(210,241)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	(28,396)		0	(40,523)		0
Cost of goods sold	(22,256)		0	(30,531)		0
Gross profit	(6,140)		0	(9,992)		0
General and administrative expenses	0		0	0		0
Selling expenses	0		0	0		0
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(16,074)		(8,667)	(25,312)		(14,541)
Income from operations	(22,214)		(8,667)	(35,304)		(14,541)
Other Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense	0		0	0		0
Interest Income	0		0	0		0
Other income, net	0		0	0		0
Other expense, net	0		0	0		0
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	(22,214)		(8,667)	(35,304)		(14,541)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	0		0	0		0
Income from continuing operations	(22,214)		(8,667)	(35,304)		(14,541)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	5		5	10		10
Net income	(22,209)		(8,662)	(35,294)		(14,531)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	156		10	(40)		(6)
Net income attributable to PSS World Medical, Inc.	(22,365)		(8,672)	(35,254)		(14,525)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities				78		34
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired				0		0
Capital expenditures				0		0
Other				0		0
Net cash used in investing activities, discontinued operations				0		0
Net cash used in investing activities				0		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Purchase and retirement of common stock				0		0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements				0		0
Payment for debt issuance costs				0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				0		0
Proceeds from borrowings on the revolving line of credit						0
Repayments on the revolving line of credit						0
Payment of contingent consideration on business acquisitions						0
Payments under capital lease obligations						0
Intercompany dividend				0		0
Net cash used in financing activities, discontinued operations				(78)		(34)
Net cash used in financing activities				(78)		(34)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents				0		0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				0		0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0		$ 0

[1] See Footnote 4, Variable Interest Entity, for discussion of the assets and liabilities related to the Company’s consolidated variable interest entities. See Footnote 3, Discontinued Operations, for discussion of assets and liabilities held for sale.