Segment Data - Financial Information for Company's Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 8,446	$ 8,054	$ 7,708
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	1,522	1,165	1,472
Total Segment Assets	12,447	12,149	11,361
Total Capital Expenditures	592	522	487
Total Depreciation and Amortization	562	546	511
Medical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,573	4,306	4,091
Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,713	2,646	2,538
Biosciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,159	1,102	1,080
Corporate and All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(630)	(976)	(605)
Total Segment Assets	3,997	3,792	3,247
Total Capital Expenditures	16	9	10
Total Depreciation and Amortization	18	19	18
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	2,152	2,140	2,077
Total Segment Assets	8,451	8,357	8,114
Operating Segments [Member] | Medical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,573	4,306	4,091
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	1,291	1,233	1,162
Total Segment Assets	4,668	4,582	4,245
Total Capital Expenditures	420	354	363
Total Depreciation and Amortization	293	259	240
Operating Segments [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,713	2,646	2,538
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	585	638	653
Total Segment Assets	2,619	2,571	2,462
Total Capital Expenditures	140	142	101
Total Depreciation and Amortization	187	190	175
Operating Segments [Member] | Biosciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,159	1,102	1,080
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	275	269	262
Total Segment Assets	1,164	1,205	1,407
Total Capital Expenditures	15	16	14
Total Depreciation and Amortization	$ 64	$ 77	$ 79