Capital contributed by company sale and lease back transaction.

No definition available.

Name:	qdel_CapitalContributedByCompanySaleAndLeaseBackTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of extension.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	qdel_NumberOfExtension
Namespace Prefix:	qdel_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date which lease or group of leases is set to expire, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement renewal, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage investment held by the managing member or general partner of the limited liability company (LLC) or limited partnership (LP).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

+ Details

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

- Definition

The gross proceeds received from the asset(s) sold in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 51

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51840-112757

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 52

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51843-112757

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51831-112757

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6456341&loc=d3e50796-112755

+ Details

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

- Definition

The net book value of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and lease back to the seller.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionNetBookValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The gross proceeds received from the asset(s) sold in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller less the costs incurred in connection with the transaction, such as closing and deferred financing costs.

+ References

+ Details

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

Lease Obligation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 Lease	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 1999 San Diego facility [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Facility sold						$ 15.0
Capital contributed						3.8
Cash transaction, netting						7.0
Partnership that acquired the facility			25.00%
Amended terms	10 years
Amended term lease extended ending date	Dec. 31, 2019
Number of extension	3
Extend the lease options	5 years
Land and building, net of accumulated depreciation	2.0		2.0		2.1
Lease payments	$ 0.3	$ 0.3	$ 0.6	$ 0.6