Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 302,366	$ 308,766
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	83,945	92,545
Share-based compensation	32,396	33,119
Deferred income taxes	(3,876)	71,974
Other	(29,073)	(19,689)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
Accounts receivable	(89,066)	(90,712)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(82,031)	(149,063)
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(20,036)	6,638
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	194,625	253,578
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities	824,434	788,083
Purchases of marketable securities	(677,092)	(908,730)
Acquisition of Stromedix, Inc., net of cash acquired	(72,401)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(54,551)	(32,143)
Other	(19,772)	25,995
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	618	(126,795)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	(463,171)	(195,287)
Proceeds from issuance of stock for share-based compensation arrangements	24,080	91,155
Other	22,827	4,300
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(416,264)	(99,832)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(221,021)	26,951
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	4,618	4,126
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	514,542	759,598
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$ 298,139	$ 790,675

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

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).