SEGMENT INFORMATION (Revenues from External Customers) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011	Apr. 02, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Jul. 03, 2010	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Apr. 03, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 186,670	$ 191,160	$ 179,445	$ 170,569	$ 170,033	$ 176,789	$ 166,833	$ 163,039	$ 727,844	$ 676,694	$ 645,430
Reportable Segment [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									594,933	551,836	555,226
Reportable Segment [Member] | Plasma Disposables [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									258,061	227,209	232,378
Reportable Segment [Member] | Blood Center [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									215,980	203,079	199,057
Reportable Segment [Member] | Platelet [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									167,946	156,251	151,026
Reportable Segment [Member] | Red Cell [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									48,034	46,828	48,031
Reportable Segment [Member] | Hospital [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									120,892	121,548	123,791
Reportable Segment [Member] | Surgical [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									66,619	66,503	69,942
Reportable Segment [Member] | OrthoPAT [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									31,186	35,631	37,079
Reportable Segment [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									23,087	19,414	16,770
Reportable Segment [Member] | Software Solutions [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									70,557	66,876	35,919
Reportable Segment [Member] | Equipment and Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues									$ 62,354	$ 57,982	$ 54,285