Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions				12 Months Ended
	May 26, 2016 shares	May 06, 2016 shares	Jul. 02, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Segment shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of segments | Segment				2
Number of outstanding shares of Baxter common stock acquired in exchange | shares	11,526,638			11,526,638
Number of reportable segments | Segment				2
Allowance for doubtful accounts				$ 127	$ 110
Depreciation expense				632	597	$ 613
Accelerated depreciation related to business optimization and separation costs				33
Shipping costs included in marketing and administrative expenses				$ 311	272	$ 319
Tax position likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement				Greater than 50%
Other				$ 977	744
ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Increase in net income				39
Increase in operating cash flow				39
ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Other					(13)
Long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations					13
ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Decrease in financing cash flows				$ (16)	$ (124)
Building and Building Improvements | Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life				20 years
Building and Building Improvements | Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life				50 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life				3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life				15 years
Business Optimization and Separation Costs
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation related to business optimization and separation costs				$ 48
U.S. Pension Plan
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contribution of Retained Shares to pension plan | shares		17,145,570		17,145,570
Spinoff
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest disposed				19.50%
Extinguishment of debt				$ 3,650
Spinoff
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding common stock distributed			80.50%
Record date for distribution			Jun. 17, 2015