Additional Stock Based Compensation Expense

No definition available.

Name:	qdel_AdditionalStockBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Deferred bonus liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_DeferredBonusLiability
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Length of time of deferral period under condition one.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_LengthOfTimeOfDeferralPeriodUnderConditionOne
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Length of time of deferral period under condition three.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_LengthOfTimeOfDeferralPeriodUnderConditionThree
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Length of time of deferral period under condition two.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_LengthOfTimeOfDeferralPeriodUnderConditionTwo
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of cash value of cash bonus officers could elect to receive in form of restricted stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_PercentageOfCashValueOfCashBonusOfficersCouldElectToReceiveInFormOfRestrictedStock
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of employee compensation for purchase of common stock under ESPP.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_PercentageOfEmployeeCompensationForPurchaseOfCommonStockUnderEspp
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of premium on amount deferred based on length of time for one year under condition one.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_PercentageOfPremiumOnAmountDeferredBasedOnLengthOfTimeForOneYearUnderConditionOne
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of premium on amount deferred based on length of time for one year under condition three

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_PercentageOfPremiumOnAmountDeferredBasedOnLengthOfTimeForOneYearUnderConditionThree
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of premium on amount deferred based on length of time for one year under condition two

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_PercentageOfPremiumOnAmountDeferredBasedOnLengthOfTimeForOneYearUnderConditionTwo
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

hare-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14
-Section F

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate number of nonredeemable preferred shares reserved for future issuance.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.28)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Discount rate from fair value on purchase date that participants pay for shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period as a result of an employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.28,29)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=qdel_EmployeeDeferredBonusCompensationProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=qdel_TwoThousandTenPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=qdel_NonEmployeeDirectorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=qdel_MemberOfBoardOfDirectorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Dec. 20, 2013	Apr. 23, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferred Bonus Liability			$ 400	$ 700	$ 400
Preferred stock, shares authorized			5,000,000	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding				0	0
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			4 years 1 month 28 days
Restricted stock granted			171,000	145,000	74,000
Additional stock-based compensation expense				$ 300	$ 1,900
Share-based compensation expense recognized			$ 7,419	$ 6,724	$ 8,771
Exercise price of stock			$ 17.44	$ 16.37	$ 14.74		$ 13.15
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant			1,434,000
Deferred period of grants (Condition 1)			1 year
Percentage of premium on amount deferred (Condition 1)			10.00%
Deferred period of grants (Condition 2)			2 years
Percentage of premium on amount deferred (Condition 2)			20.00%
Deferred period of grants (Condition 3)			4 years
Percentage of premium on amount deferred (Condition 3)			30.00%
Minimum percentage of common stock under payroll deductions			10.00%
Fair value of payroll deductions			85.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Period			6 years
Stock sold under the plan			1,131,493
Capital shares reserved for future issuance			118,507
Payments for repurchase of common stock		$ 50,000	$ 30,934	$ 1,956	$ 2,157
Repurchase of available shares under share repurchase program			1,397,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value			$ 30,400	$ 1,956	$ 2,157
Exercise of stock options			168,000	251,000	642,000
Shares reserved for purchase under ESPP			118,507
Restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			10 years
Restricted stock granted			200,000	100,000	100,000
Performance-based vesting period			4 years			3 years
Share-based compensation expense recognized			$ 2,000	$ 2,100	$ 4,000
Employee Deferred Bonus Compensation Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense recognized			$ 700	$ 300	$ 800
2010 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserve under equity incentive plans			5,900,000
2010 Plan [Member] \| Restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance-based vesting period			1 year
Non-employee director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted			500,000	400,000	400,000
Member of Board of Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Repurchase of available shares under share repurchase program	37,709
Exercise of stock options	76,687
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of deferred 2011 cash bonus			50.00%
Minimum [Member] \| 2010 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price of stock			$ 8.50
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of deferred 2011 cash bonus			100.00%
Maximum [Member] \| 2010 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price of stock			$ 27.91