Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Revenue by principal business segments
Total Revenue	$ 2,014,081	$ 1,830,911	$ 5,778,109	$ 5,499,138
Medical [Member]
Revenue by principal business segments
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	1,044,836	945,522	2,952,713	2,837,827
Diagnostics [Member]
Revenue by principal business segments
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	631,359	576,269	1,838,429	1,727,415
Biosciences [Member]
Revenue by principal business segments
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	$ 337,886	$ 309,120	$ 986,967	$ 933,896