Recently issued accounting standards (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Recently issued accounting standards (Policies)	Sep. 27, 2020
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Recently issued accounting standards	Recently issued accounting standardsIn June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance that changes the methodology to be used to measure credit losses for certain financial instruments and financial assets, including trade receivables. The new guidance requires the recognition of an allowance that reflects the current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial asset, based not only on historical experience and current conditions, but also on reasonable forecasts. The main objective of the new guidance is to provide financial statement users with more useful information in making decisions about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. Under previous guidance, an entity reflects credit losses on financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis only when it is probable that losses have been incurred, generally considering only past events and current conditions in determining the incurred loss. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective transition approach by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment of $0.8 million to reduce our opening balance of retained earnings as of the adoption date. Prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to reflect our historical accounting. In December 2019, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies various aspects of accounting for income taxes including those related to the step-up in the tax basis of goodwill, intraperiod tax allocations and the interim period effects of changes in tax laws or rates. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The majority of the modifications under the new guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings on January 1, 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2020, the SEC adopted final rules that amend the financial disclosure requirements for subsidiary issuers and guarantors of registered debt securities in Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The SEC amended its financial disclosure requirements for companies that conduct registered debt offerings involving subsidiaries as either issuers or guarantors and affiliates whose securities are pledged as collateral. The SEC narrowed the circumstances that require separate financial statements of subsidiary issuers and guarantors and streamlined the alternative disclosures required in lieu of those statements. The SEC replaced the requirement for separate financial statements of affiliates whose securities are pledged as collateral for registered securities with requirements similar to those adopted for subsidiary issuers and guarantors. The new disclosures may be located, in all cases, outside of the financial statements. The rule is effective January 4, 2021, but earlier compliance is permitted. We adopted the new rule during the first quarter of 2020. The disclosures are now located within the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. From time to time, new accounting guidance is issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that is adopted by us as of the effective date or, in some cases where early adoption is permitted, in advance of the effective date. We have assessed the recently issued guidance that is not yet effective and, unless otherwise indicated above, believes the new guidance will not have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
Basis of presentation	Note 1 — Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Teleflex Incorporated and its subsidiaries (“we,” “us,” “our" and “Teleflex”) are prepared on the same basis as its annual consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for the fair statement of the financial statements for interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and Rule 10-01 of Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Regulation S-X, which sets forth the instructions for the form and content of presentation of financial statements included in Form 10-Q. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates particularly as it relates to estimates reliant on forecasts and other assumptions impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which are described in more detail in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section below. The results of operations for the periods reported are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for a full year. In accordance with applicable accounting standards and as permitted by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures that are required to be included in our annual consolidated financial statements. Therefore, our quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 intangible asset amortization expense of $21.2 million and $63.2 million, respectively, is included within costs of good sold. For the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019, we reclassified intangible asset amortization expense of $20.6 million and $62.1 million, respectively, from selling, general and administrative expenses to cost of goods sold for comparability. Risks and Uncertainties We are subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict due to the rapidly evolving environment and continued uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has had the effect of reducing the number of elective procedures being carried out by our customers, thereby reducing demand for products used in elective procedures, while creating an increase in demand for products used in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted economic activity and markets around the world through government-mandated and self-imposed shut-downs in many countries, which were implemented to protect individuals and control the spread of COVID-19. If the pandemic continues and conditions worsen, it could negatively impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity in numerous ways, including, but not limited to, lower revenues in our product categories dependent on elective procedures; further disruption in the manufacture of our products including increased manufacturing and distribution costs; extended delays in or defaults on payments of outstanding receivables; and increased volatility and pricing in capital markets. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic may cause disruption to our suppliers or their suppliers and/or the distribution of our products, whether through our direct sales force or our distributors. The severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the pandemic and the extent and severity of the impact on our employees, contractors, suppliers, customers and other business partners, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. As of the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may materially impact our financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations is uncertain.