Segment Data - Revenues by Organizational Units (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 2,000,375	$ 1,928,961	$ 3,900,567	$ 3,760,681
Medical Surgical Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	538,565	518,939	1,074,503	1,041,249
Diabetes Care [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	232,092	219,245	474,894	445,164
Pharmaceutical Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	291,414	283,003	496,047	485,171
Medical [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	1,062,071	1,021,187	2,045,444	1,971,584
Preanalytical Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	330,031	323,313	664,798	639,935
Diagnostic Systems [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	328,909	306,706	646,067	610,827
Diagnostics [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	658,940	630,019	1,310,865	1,250,762
Biosciences [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 279,364	$ 277,755	$ 544,258	$ 538,335