DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HAEMONETICS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000313143
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,340,448
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,387,470,924