Available-for-sale securities, net realized gain, retained shares transactions.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	bax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt and financial instruments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Payment to repurchase debt including accrued and unpaid interest and tender premium.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the financial instrument was issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash or part noncash transaction, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4304-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4332-108586

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- Definition

The amount of the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the maturity date of the debt instrument including whether the debt matures serially and, if so, a brief description of the serial maturities.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value amount of debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the debt instrument was repurchased, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for the extinguishment of long-term borrowing, with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation, before its maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash inflow from contractual arrangement with the lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3255-108585

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Debt, Credit Facilities and Lease Commitments - Additional information (Detail)					1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	May 26, 2016 USD ($)	May 06, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 16, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 27, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2017 EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 EUR (€)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes					€ 600,000,000							$ 1,600,000,000
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					May 2025
Loss on extinguishment of debt									$ 153,000,000	$ 130,000,000
Net realized gains on the Retained Share transactions	$ 537,000,000	$ 611,000,000							4,387,000,000
Repayment of debt								$ 1,000,000	1,381,000,000	3,786,000,000
Operating lease rent expense								154,000,000	174,000,000	184,000,000
Domestic Line of Credit
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Drawing				$ 1,450,000,000
Line of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding				$ 1,800,000,000				0	0
Net realized gains on the Retained Share transactions									1,250,000,000
Credit facility maximum capacity								1,500,000,000
Foreign Line of Credit
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding								0	0
Credit facility maximum capacity \| €											€ 200,000,000
Other Line Of Credit
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding								0	0
Credit facility maximum capacity								$ 134,000,000	271,000,000
Senior Notes
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Payments to redeem senior notes						$ 1,000,000,000
Senior Notes \| Other income, net
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt									52,000,000
Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt									101,000,000	$ 130,000,000
Net realized gains on the Retained Share transactions									$ 2,000,000,000
Tender offer date								Mar. 16, 2016
Principal amount of notes exchanged for Retained Share			$ 2,200,000,000
Payment to repurchase Notes including accrued and unpaid interest and tender premium							$ 2,900,000,000
Debt Tender Offer \| Purchase Date One
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Tender offer date							Jul. 06, 2015
Debt Tender Offer \| Purchase Date Two
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Tender offer date							Jul. 21, 2015
1.70% Senior Notes due August 2021
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes												$ 400,000,000
Senior notes, coupon rates												1.70%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								August 2021
2.60% Senior Notes due August 2026
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes												$ 750,000,000
Senior notes, coupon rates												2.60%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								August 2026
3.50% Senior Notes due August 2046
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes												$ 450,000,000
Senior notes, coupon rates												3.50%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								August 2046
1.30% Senior Notes due May 2025
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes \| €					€ 600,000,000
Senior notes, coupon rates					1.30%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								May 2025
1.850% Senior Notes due 2017
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates						1.85%
1.850% Senior Notes due 2018
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates						1.85%
5.375% Senior Notes due 2018
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates						5.375%
4.500% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates						4.50%
4.250% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates						4.25%
3.200% Senior Notes due 2023
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates						3.20%
0.950% notes due 2016 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates			0.95%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								May 2016
5.900% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2016
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates									5.90%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								September 2016
Repayment of debt									$ 130,000,000
5.900% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2016 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates			5.90%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								August 2016
1.850% Notes due 2017 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates			1.85%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								January 2017
5.375% notes due 2018 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates			5.375%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								May 2018
1.850% notes due 2018 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates			1.85%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								June 2018
4.500% notes due 2019 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates			4.50%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								August 2019
4.250% notes due 2020 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates			4.25%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								February 2020
0.95% Senior Unsecured Notes Matured in June 2016
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates									0.95%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods								June 2016
Repayment of debt									$ 190,000,000
5.9% notes due 2016 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates							5.90%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods										September 2016
Aggregate principal amount of debts repurchased							$ 2,700,000,000
6.625% Debentures due 2028
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates								6.625%			6.625%
6.625% Debentures due 2028 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates							6.625%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods										February 2028
6.250% Senior Notes due December 2037 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates							6.25%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods										December 2037
3.650% Senior Notes due August 2042 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates							3.65%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods										August 2042
4.500% Senior Notes due June 2043 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates							4.50%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods										June 2043
3.200% Senior Notes due June 2023 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates							3.20%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods										June 2023
2.400% Senior Note due August 2022 \| Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates							2.40%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods										August 2022