Segment Data - Revenues by Organizational Units (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 1,900,192	$ 1,831,720
Medical Surgical Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	535,938	522,308
Diabetes Care [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	242,802	225,920
Pharmaceutical Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	204,633	202,169
Medical [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	983,373	950,397
Preanalytical Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	334,767	316,622
Diagnostic Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	317,158	304,121
Diagnostics [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	651,925	620,743
Biosciences [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 264,894	$ 260,580