Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2012	Apr. 01, 2011	Apr. 02, 2010
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Operating cycle	The Company reports its year-end financial position, results of operations, and cash flows on the Friday closest to March 31. Fiscal years 2012 and 2011 each consisted of 52 weeks and 253 selling days and fiscal year 2010 consisted of 53 weeks or 258 selling days.
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Stated interest rate	6.375%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents, description	Cash and cash equivalents generally consist of demand deposits with financial institutions and highly liquid investment grade instruments having maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value.
Outstanding checks reclassed to accounts payable	$ 10,069	$ 13,425
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Vendor Rebates	231,802	217,879	216,717
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal group, including discontinued operation, description and timing of disposal	During the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 the Company’s Board of Directors approved a strategic restructuring plan designed to transform the Company. The restructuring plan will include the sale of two business units serving skilled nursing facilities and specialty dental practices, the integration of all warehouse operations into one common distribution infrastructure, as well as a redesign of the shared services function. The Company determined that certain held for sale criteria had not been met as of March 30, 2012 and therefore reports the assets, liabilities, and the related results of operations as continuing operations.
Insurance [Abstract]
Stop loss reinsurance coverage, individual claims	250
Stop loss reinsurance coverage, additional aggregate specific deductible	190
Stop loss reinsurance coverage, catastrophic loss, maximum	2,000
Medical expenses, net of employee contributions	16,853	13,153	13,452
Primary Casualty Insurance [Line Items]
Primary casualty insurance, aggregate stop loss coverage	8,000
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Sales allowances as a percentage of gross sales	less than 1%
Shipping And Handling [Abstract]
Shipping and handling costs included in net sales	15,832	13,521	11,383
Shipping and handling costs included in general and administrative expenses	110,142	105,334	104,134
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Denominator-weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per common share	51,998	54,996	58,029
Assumed exercise of stock options	63	198	324
Assumed vesting of restricted stock	453	650	514
Assumed conversion of the 2008 Notes	1,475	702	76
Denominator-weighted average shares outstanding used in computing diluted earnings per common share	53,989	56,546	58,943
Share Repurchases [Abstract]
Additional paid-in capital	0	122,912
Share Repurchases In Excess Of Additional Paid-In Capital, Impact on Retained Earnings	7,154
Automobile Liability [Member]
Primary Casualty Insurance [Line Items]
Primary casualty insurance, annual coverage limit	2,000
Primary casualty insurance, deductible (per occurrence)	350
Employer's Liability [Member]
Primary Casualty Insurance [Line Items]
Primary casualty insurance, annual coverage limit	1,000
Primary casualty insurance, deductible (per occurrence)	500
Worker's Compensation [Member]
Primary Casualty Insurance [Line Items]
Primary casualty insurance, deductible (per occurrence)	500
General Liability [Member]
Primary Casualty Insurance [Line Items]
Primary casualty insurance, annual coverage limit	2,000
Primary casualty insurance, deductible (per occurrence)	100
Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	2 to 10 years
Computer Hardware And Software [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	3 to 15 years
Capitalized Internal-Use Software Costs [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	5 to 15 years
Property and equipment, interest capitalization	The Company capitalizes the following costs associated with developing internal-use computer software: (i) external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use computer software; (ii) certain payroll and payroll-related costs for Company employees who are directly associated with the development of internal-use software, to the extent of time spent directly on the project; and (iii) interest costs incurred while developing internal-use computer software. According to ASC 835-20, Interest-Capitalization of Interest, interest cost may be capitalized as a part of the historical cost of acquiring certain assets, such as assets that are constructed or produced for a company's own use.
Amount of capitalized interest	897	511	1,182
Net Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Vendor Rebates	759	1,237	2,433
Cost of Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Vendor Rebates	231,043	216,642	214,284
Physician Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	3,167	2,934
Average allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of gross accounts receivable, range	2%
Average allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of gross accounts receivable, period	three years
Bad debt expense as a percentage of net sales	less than 1%	less than 1%	less than 1%
Primary sources of revenue, description	The Physician Business, or the Physician Sales & Service division, is a leading distributor of medical supplies, diagnostic equipment, pharmaceutical-related products, healthcare information technology, professional and consulting services and physician dispensing solutions to alternate site healthcare providers in the U.S. The Physician Business has three primary sources of revenue: (i) the sale of consumable products; (ii) the sale of equipment; and (iii) claims processing services provided to physician dispensing customers.
Vendor Rebates	125,551	109,161	110,576
Physician Business [Member] | Net Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Vendor Rebates	759	1,237	2,433
Physician Business [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Vendor Rebates	124,792	107,924	108,143
Extended Care Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	3,047	2,875
Average allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of gross accounts receivable, range	4%
Average allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of gross accounts receivable, period	three years
Bad debt expense as a percentage of net sales	less than 1%	less than 1%	less than 1%
Primary sources of revenue, description	The Extended Care Business, or the Gulf South Medical Supply division, is a national distributor of medical supplies and related products and solutions to the extended care industry in the United States. The Extended Care Business serves the skilled nursing home, assisted living, home health care, and hospice markets. In addition, the Extended Care Business also provides Medicare Part B billing services, either on a fee-for-service or a full-assignment basis and Medicaid billing services to the assisted living market. The Extended Care Business has three primary sources of revenue: (i) the sale of consumable products and services to skilled nursing home and assisted living facilities, hospice and home health care providers; (ii) service fees earned for providing Medicare Part B and Medicaid products and services; and (iii) consulting services to skilled nursing home and assisted living facilities, hospice and home health care providers.
Extended Care Business [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Vendor Rebates	$ 106,251	$ 108,718	$ 106,141
Extended Care Business [Member] | Largest Five Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue, net, percentage of total	16.00%	16.00%	15.00%
Accounts receivable, net, current, percentage of total	10.00%	10.00%