Debt Instrument Interest Rate In Excess Of Libor

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Amount at which a debt instrument is issued at a price below its face value.

+ Details

Name:	dgx_DebtInstrumentOriginalDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	dgx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt issuance cost

+ Details

Name:	dgx_DebtIssuanceCost
Namespace Prefix:	dgx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt offering amount.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dgx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value basis adjustment attributable to hedged debt (increases)

+ Details

Name:	dgx_FairValueBasisAdjustmentOfHedgedDebtIncreases
Namespace Prefix:	dgx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

LIBOR rate

+ Details

Name:	dgx_LiborRate
Namespace Prefix:	dgx
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Use of proceeds from debt issuance

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 7
-Footnote 1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3044-108585

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 8, 9
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6676-107765

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Cash
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 7, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Cash Equivalents
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

DEBT (2011 Senior Notes Offering) (Details) (USD $)										6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
DEBT (2011 Senior Notes Offering) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Mar. 24, 2011 Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2014 [Member] March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Mar. 24, 2011 3.20% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Mar. 24, 2011 4.70% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member] March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Mar. 24, 2011 5.75% Senior Notes Due 2040 [Member] March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Nov. 17, 2009 5.75% Senior Notes Due 2040 [Member] March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Credit Facilities [Member] March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Mar. 24, 2011 March 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Credit Facilities [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 7.50% Senior Notes Due 2011 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	Mar. 24, 2011 Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 3.20% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 4.70% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 5.75% Senior Notes Due 2040 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 4.75% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 4.75% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt instrument, interest rate														7.50%			3.20%	4.70%	5.75%	4.75%
Debt instrument, maturity date														Jul. 01, 2011	Mar. 24, 2014		Apr. 01, 2016	Apr. 01, 2021	Jan. 30, 2040	Jan. 30, 2020
Debt offering amount					$ 200,000,000	$ 300,000,000	$ 550,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 250,000,000			$ 1,250,000,000
Debt Instrument Interest Rate In Excess Of Libor																0.85%
Debt instrument Original Discount						300,000	900,000	5,500,000
Debt instrument, effective interest rate						3.22%	4.72%	5.95%
LIBOR rate															0.25%
Debt issuance cost											10,400,000
Use of proceeds from debt issuance										485,000,000	750,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents	184,218,000	449,301,000	447,888,000	534,256,000									90,000,000
Fair value basis adjustment of hedged debt (increases)																	$ 3,400,000			$ 15,500,000	$ 10,500,000