Business Segment Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 356,321	$ 342,707	$ 693,281	$ 661,346
Operating Income (Loss)	62,277	47,643	110,579	94,544
OperatingSegmentHealthcare [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	256,820	243,176	486,334	466,400
Operating Income (Loss)	42,147	27,994	64,877	54,262
OperatingSegmentLifeSciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	54,577	58,915	115,073	111,783
Operating Income (Loss)	10,549	11,064	22,403	20,523
OperatingSegmentIsomedix [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	44,284	39,999	90,340	82,002
Operating Income (Loss)	12,667	11,215	28,245	24,174
OperatingSegmentAllExceptCorpandOther [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	355,681	342,090	691,747	660,185
Operating Income (Loss)	65,363	50,273	115,525	98,959
OperatingSegmentCorpandOther [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	640	617	1,534	1,161
Operating Income (Loss)	(3,086)	(2,630)	(4,946)	(4,415)
OperatingSegmentAll [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	356,321	342,707	693,281	661,346
Operating Income (Loss)	62,277	47,643	110,579	94,544
Product Rebate Program [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Accrual Carrying Value, Current	$ 9,044		$ 9,044