1.0.0.3 false 3. IMPAIRMENTS AND LOSS ON SALE OF ASSETS false 1 $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDperShareItemType Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 2 Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] 0 cah_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract cah false na duration string Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false 3 3. IMPAIRMENTS AND LOSS ON SALE OF ASSETS 1 us-gaap_DetailsOfImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByAssetTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> 3. IMPAIRMENTS AND LOSS ON SALE OF ASSETS Asset impairments and losses from the sale of assets are classified within impairments and loss on sale of assets within the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company recognized a $22.5 million impairment loss related to the write-down of SpecialtyScripts, LLC (“SpecialtyScripts”), a business within the Pharmaceutical segment, to expected fair value less costs to sell. See Note 4 for further information regarding the anticipated sale of SpecialtyScripts. </div> 3. IMPAIRMENTS AND LOSS ON SALE OF ASSETS Asset impairments and losses from the sale of assets are classified within impairments and loss on sale of assets false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true