Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 57,004	$ 168,832	$ 241,610
Loss from operations, pretax									(9,219)	(33,294)	(17,226)
Income tax benefit									3,373	11,730	6,519
Loss from operations, after tax									(5,846)	(21,564)	(10,707)
Impairment loss, aftertax									(68,762)	(99,009)	(12,065)
Loss from discontinued operations	(7,129)	(9,900)	(37,728)	(19,851)	(8,208)	(93,630)	(12,146)	(6,589)	(74,608)	(120,573)	(22,772)
DME Disposal Group [Member]
Income Statement by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss from discontinued operations									18,000
CRO - Contract Research Services Organization [Member]
Income Statement by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales									32,146	109,176	156,707
Loss from operations, pretax									(4,921)	(19,269)	(3,581)
Income tax benefit									1,923	8,116	1,051
Loss from operations, after tax									(2,998)	(11,153)	(2,530)
Impairment loss									(49,978)	(90,628)	0
Income tax benefit of impairment loss									7,317	103	0
Loss from discontinued operations									(45,659)	(101,678)	(2,530)
Disposal Group - Certain Home Healthcare and Related Ancillary Businesses [Member]
Income Statement by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales									24,858	59,656	84,903
Loss from operations, pretax									(4,298)	(14,025)	(13,645)
Income tax benefit									1,450	3,614	5,468
Loss from operations, after tax									(2,848)	(10,411)	(8,177)
Impairment loss									(23,105)	(10,343)	(14,492)
Income tax benefit of impairment loss									(2,996)	1,859	2,427
Loss from discontinued operations									$ (28,949)	$ (18,895)	$ (20,242)