Segment Reporting [Abstract] Schedule of Revenues from External Customers Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule of Earnings Per Share Reconciliation Schedule of Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Axis] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Axis] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Employee-related costs Employee Severance [Member] Facility-related costs Facility Closing [Member] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Beginning Balance Restructuring Reserve Cost Incurred Restructuring Reserve, Period Expense Payments Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash Ending Balance Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Assumptions Utilized for Estimating Fair Value of Option Grants Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segment [Domain] Reportable Segment [Member] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Domain] Products and Services [Domain] Plasma [Member] Plasma [Member] Plasma Disposables [Member] Plasma Disposables Blood Center [Member] Blood Center [Member] Platelet [Member] Platelet Red Cell [Member] Red Cell Hospital [Member] Hospital [Member] Surgical [Member] Surgical OrthoPAT [Member] OrthoPAT Diagnostics [Member] Diagnostics Software Solutions [Member] Software Solutions Equipment and Other [Member] Equipment and Other Related [Member] Equipment and Other Related Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] Net revenues Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, less allowance of $1,788 at December 31, 2011 and $1,799 at April 2, 2011 Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Inventories, net Inventory, Net Deferred tax asset, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property, plant and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Land, building, and building improvements Land, Building, and Building Improvements Land, building and building improvements. Plant equipment and machinery Machinery and Equipment, Gross Office equipment and information technology Office Equipment and Information Technology Office equipment and information technology. Haemonetics equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Other, Gross Total property, plant and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Less: accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Net property, plant and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other assets: Other Assets [Abstract] Intangible assets, less amortization of $52,033 at December 31, 2011 and $43,827 at April 2, 2011 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Goodwill Goodwill Deferred tax asset, long term Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Other long-term assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total other assets Total Other Assets Total other assets. Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued payroll and related costs Employee-related Liabilities, Current Accrued income taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Current Deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt, net of current maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized — 150,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding — 25,141,181 shares at December 31, 2011 and 25,660,393 shares at April 2, 2011 Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Derivative [Table] Derivative [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Mortgage Loans on Real Estate Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member] Statement, Geographical [Axis] Statement, Geographical [Axis] Segment, Geographical [Domain] Segment, Geographical [Domain] Foreign Country Foreign Country [Member] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Designated as Hedging Instrument Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Cash Flow Hedging Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Foreign Exchange Contract Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Line Items] Percentage of sales generated outside the US Percentage Of Net Sales Generated Outside Of The US Percentage Of Net Sales Generated Outside Of The US Maturity period for foreign currency contracts (in years) Average Remaining Maturity of Foreign Currency Derivatives Designated foreign currency hedge contracts outstanding Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net Recognized net losses in earnings on cash flow hedges Cash Flow Hedge Loss Reclassified to Earnings Amount of losses reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net Amount of losses reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net Non-designated foreign currency hedge contracts outstanding Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments at Fair Value, Net Contingent consideration income Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability Contingent consideration payment recorded in selling, general and administrative Contingent Consideration Paid Contingent Consideration Paid Fair value of real estate mortgage obligation Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] High Separation Core Bowl [Member] High Separation Core Bowl [Member] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Accrued loss contingency liability Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value Aggregate claims submitted by customers Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Estimated recovery of accrued liability from insurance Product Liability Contingency, Third Party Recovery Recorded expense, net of insurance recovery within selling, general, and administrative expense Loss Contingency, Loss in Period Capitalization of Software and Development Costs [Abstract] Capitalization of Software and Development Costs [Abstract] Capitalized software development costs for ongoing initiatives Research and Development Expense, Software (Excluding Acquired in Process Cost) Total costs capitalized related to in process software development initiatives Capitalized Software Development Costs for Software Sold to Customers EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Money market funds Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Foreign currency hedge contracts Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Total Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Liabilities Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Foreign currency hedge contracts Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] High Separation Core Bowl [Member] Number of weeks in each fiscal year Number of Weeks in Each Fiscal Year Number of Weeks in Each Fiscal Year Number of weeks in each quarter Number of Weeks in Each Quarter Number of Weeks in Each Quarter CAPITALIZATION OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS Research, Development, and Computer Software Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract] RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure of changes in accounting principles including adoption of new accounting pronouncements Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Location [Domain] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Location [Domain] Net revenues, COGS, and SG&A Net Revenues Cost Of Goods Sold And Selling General And Administrative Expense [Member] Net Revenues Cost Of Goods Sold And Selling General And Administrative Expense Other Income (Expense), Net [Member] Other Income (Expense), Net [Member] Other Income (Expense), Net [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion) Amount of Loss Reclassifiedfrom AOCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing Gain (Loss) from Components Excluded from Assessment of Fair Value Hedge Effectiveness, Net STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Other Current Assets Other Current Assets [Member] Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Other Current Liabilities [Member] Other Current Liabilities Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivative Assets: Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Net [Abstract] Derivative Assets Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Derivative Liabilities: Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net [Abstract] Derivative Liabilities Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Product Warranties [Abstract] Product Warranties [Abstract] PRODUCT WARRANTIES Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Product Warranty Liability Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Non cash items: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Stock compensation expense Share-based Compensation Loss on sales of property, plant and equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Unrealized loss from hedging activities Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Contingent consideration income Reversal of interest expense on contingent consideration Reversal of Interest Expense on Contingent Consideration Reversal of interest expense on contingent consideration. Change in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase in accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Increase in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Decrease in prepaid income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Taxes Increase in other assets and other long-term liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Tax benefit on exercise of stock options Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment