Information Relating to Individual Plans in Funded Status Table that have PBO in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Information relating to the individual plans in the funded status table above that have a PBO in excess of plan assets
PBO	$ 5,875	$ 5,523
Fair value of plan assets	$ 4,899	$ 4,265

If aggregate disclosures are presented, the aggregate projected benefit obligation for pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the measurement date of each statement of financial position presented.

No definition available.

Name:	bax_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithProjectedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateProjectedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	bax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant