Aggregate carrying amount of the estimated litigation liability for known or estimated probable loss from litigation, which may include attorneys' fees and other litigation costs.

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The portion of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the combined total of loss contingency liabilities which is expected to be resolved within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Describes the nature or cause of a material change in the expected aggregate amount since the prior balance sheet date, other than a change resulting from pay-down of the obligation.

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Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations.

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Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

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Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual , Product Liability, Net, Explanation of Material Change in Accrual									-17403
Revenues	$ 390,249	$ 355,215	$ 342,707	$ 318,639	$ 377,760	$ 328,283	$ 312,425	$ 188,980	$ 1,406,810	$ 1,207,448	$ 1,257,733
Operating Income (Loss)									222,316	85,212	203,712
Restructuring Charges	(877)	1,164	99	258	779	(23)	105	341	644	1,202	4,848
OperatingSegmentHealthcare [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,013,102	835,832	892,474
Operating Income (Loss)									141,742	21,317	151,520
OperatingSegmentLifeSciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									226,658	215,437	218,209
Operating Income (Loss)									41,633	33,069	30,952
OperatingSegmentIsomedix [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									164,257	152,242	140,871
Operating Income (Loss)									47,596	39,833	31,103
OperatingSegmentAllExceptCorpandOther [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,404,017	1,203,511	1,251,554
Operating Income (Loss)									230,971	94,219	213,575
OperatingSegmentCorpandOther [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,793	3,937	6,179
Operating Income (Loss)									(8,655)	(9,007)	(9,863)
OperatingSegmentAll [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,406,810	1,207,448	1,257,733
Operating Income (Loss)									222,316	85,212	203,712
Product Rebate Program [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Accrual Carrying Value, Current							(110,004)
Customer Rebates [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual , Product Liability, Net, Explanation of Material Change in Accrual									15306
Loss Contingency, Accrual Carrying Value, Current							(102,313)
Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Estimated Litigation Liability						19,796
Life Science Member [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges										$ 190	$ 555