XML 23 R52.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
1 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
5.45% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Debt instrument, interest rate   5.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_FivePointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member
3.20% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Debt instrument, interest rate   3.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_ThreePointTwoZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member
6.40% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Debt instrument, interest rate   6.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_SixPointFourPercentSeniorNotesDue2017Member
Subsequent Event [Member]    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Pre tax losses on extinguishment of debt $ 64us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Subsequent Event [Member] | 5.45% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Extinguishment of debt, amount 500us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_FivePointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Debt instrument, interest rate 5.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_FivePointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Subsequent Event [Member] | 3.20% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Extinguishment of debt, amount 150us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_ThreePointTwoZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Debt instrument, interest rate 3.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_ThreePointTwoZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Extinguishment of debt, percent 50.00%dgx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPercent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_ThreePointTwoZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Subsequent Event [Member] | 6.40% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Extinguishment of debt, amount $ 375us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_SixPointFourPercentSeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Debt instrument, interest rate 6.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dgx_SixPointFourPercentSeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember