COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2011 USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2010 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Damages from Product Defects [Member] High Separation Core Bowl [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Neoteric [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Fenwal [Member]	Jan. 31, 2009 Haemonetics Italia, Srl. [Member] EUR (€)	Apr. 30, 2008 Haemonetics Italia, Srl. [Member] Employees
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Term of Patent Infringement Lawsuits						5 years
Rent expense	$ 6,100,000	$ 6,600,000	$ 5,900,000
Estimate of liability				10,000,000
Accrued loss contingency liability				3,700,000
Estimated recovery of accrued liability from insurance				3,200,000
Recorded expense, net of insurance recovery within selling, general, and administrative expense				3,100,000
Contingent consideration paid for settlement					700,000
Number of employees found guilty								2
Damages awarded							€ 147,500