SEGMENT INFORMATION (Revenues from External Customers) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 249,942	$ 247,395	$ 218,178	$ 176,475	$ 186,670	$ 191,160	$ 179,445	$ 170,569	$ 891,990	$ 727,844	$ 676,694
Reportable Segment [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									757,765	594,933	551,836
Reportable Segment [Member] | Plasma Disposables [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									268,900	258,061	227,209
Reportable Segment [Member] | Blood Center [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									357,771	215,980	203,079
Reportable Segment [Member] | Platelet [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									169,602	167,946	156,251
Reportable Segment [Member] | Red Cell [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									49,733	48,034	46,828
Reportable Segment [Member] | Whole Blood [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues										0	0
Reportable Segment [Member] | Hospital [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									131,094	120,892	121,548
Reportable Segment [Member] | Surgical [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									73,508	66,619	66,503
Reportable Segment [Member] | OrthoPAT [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									30,230	31,186	35,631
Reportable Segment [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									27,356	23,087	19,414
Reportable Segment [Member] | Software Solutions [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									69,952	70,557	66,876
Reportable Segment [Member] | Equipment and Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 64,273	$ 62,354	$ 57,982