Segment Data (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues by organizational units
Total Revenue	$ 1,980,530	$ 1,951,889	$ 5,741,211	$ 5,595,856
Medical [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	1,070,076	1,044,836	3,041,660	2,952,713
Medical Surgical Systems [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	531,771	529,018	1,573,020	1,546,334
Diabetes Care [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	232,675	220,184	677,839	641,826
Pharmaceutical Systems [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	305,630	295,634	790,801	764,553
Diagnostics [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	642,250	631,359	1,893,012	1,838,429
Preanalytical Systems [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	333,454	330,326	973,389	949,194
Diagnostic Systems [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	308,796	301,033	919,623	889,235
Biosciences [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	268,204	275,694	806,539	804,714
Cell Analysis [Member]
Revenues by organizational units
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment, Total	$ 268,204	$ 275,694	$ 806,539	$ 804,714