Employee Stock Plans - Activity Under Employee Stock Plans (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Apr. 03, 2015
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	3,343
Number of Shares, Granted	615
Number of Shares, Cancelled or expired	(1)
Number of Shares, Exercised	(1,169)
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	2,788
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	1,662
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 60.53
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 92.43
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled or expired	$ 79.91
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 52.51
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 70.92
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 60.14
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Option Outstanding	4 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	3 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Option Outstanding	$ 63,761
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$ 55,927
Closing price of VMS common stock	$ 93.79us-gaap_SharePrice

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Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable.

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The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan.

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The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan.

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Weighted average remaining contractual term for vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable or convertible, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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For presentations that combine terminations, the number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan or that expired.

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Weighted average price of options that were either forfeited or expired.

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Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

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Amount by which the current fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of options outstanding.

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Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

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Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

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Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares.

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Weighted average per share amount at which grantees can acquire shares of common stock by exercise of options.

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Price of a single share of a number of saleable stocks of a company.

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Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

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