HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Assets Held-For-Sale) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset impairment and loss on sale of business		$ 86,348,000	$ 0	$ 0
Valuation allowance, amount	7,500,000	7,500,000
Income tax benefit, discontinued operations	4,400,000	4,400,000
Definitive agreement amount, sale of HemoCue	300,000,000	300,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents	17,234,000	17,234,000
Accounts reeceivable, net	14,430,000	14,430,000
Inventories	5,388,000	5,388,000
Deferred income taxes	242,000	242,000
Prepaids and other current assets	2,898,000	2,898,000
Current assets held for sale	40,192,000	40,192,000	0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	24,782,000	24,782,000
Goodwill	218,795,000	218,795,000
Intangible assets, net	110,773,000	110,773,000
Other assets	34,000	34,000
Non-current assets held for sale	354,384,000	354,384,000	0
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	21,322,000	21,322,000
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt- related to assets held fo sale	449,000	449,000
Deferred income tax liabilities - related to assets held for sale	237,000	237,000
Total current liabilities held for sale	22,008,000	22,008,000	0
Long-term debt - related to assets held for sale	16,221,000	16,221,000
Other liabilities	44,579,000	44,579,000
Total non-current liabilities held for sale	$ 60,800,000	$ 60,800,000	$ 0