SEGMENT INFORMATION (Revenues from External Customers) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 191,160	$ 176,789	$ 541,174	$ 506,661
Reportable Segment [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	156,354	144,130	444,810	414,189
Reportable Segment [Member] | Plasma Disposables [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	69,040	59,814	196,206	172,245
Reportable Segment [Member] | Blood Center [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	56,545	52,732	159,564	151,404
Reportable Segment [Member] | Platelet [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	44,383	41,056	123,888	117,120
Reportable Segment [Member] | Red Cell [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	12,162	11,676	35,676	34,284
Reportable Segment [Member] | Hospital [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	30,769	31,584	89,040	90,540
Reportable Segment [Member] | Surgical [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	17,333	17,116	49,281	49,479
Reportable Segment [Member] | OrthoPAT [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	7,755	9,248	22,804	26,486
Reportable Segment [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	5,681	5,220	16,955	14,575
Reportable Segment [Member] | Software Solutions [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	15,849	16,571	51,208	49,155
Reportable Segment [Member] | Equipment and Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 18,957	$ 16,088	$ 45,156	$ 43,317