REVENUES - Net Sales from Contracts with Customers by Global Business Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,226	$ 2,972	$ 9,270	$ 8,492
U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	1,319	1,244	3,697	3,588
International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	1,907	1,728	5,573	4,904
Renal Care
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	981	955	2,867	2,744
Renal Care | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	222	216	655	629
Renal Care | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	759	739	2,212	2,115
Medication Delivery
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	747	665	2,096	1,948
Medication Delivery | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	490	419	1,345	1,262
Medication Delivery | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	257	246	751	686
Pharmaceuticals
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	589	539	1,687	1,536
Pharmaceuticals | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	188	209	550	637
Pharmaceuticals | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	401	330	1,137	899
Clinical Nutrition
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	244	234	715	667
Clinical Nutrition | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	88	87	255	241
Clinical Nutrition | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	156	147	460	426
Advanced Surgery
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	249	235	722	627
Advanced Surgery | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	135	138	405	369
Advanced Surgery | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	114	97	317	258
Acute Therapies
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	185	177	580	519
Acute Therapies | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	69	72	211	204
Acute Therapies | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	116	105	369	315
BioPharma Solutions
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	206	141	524	371
BioPharma Solutions | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	109	84	218	186
BioPharma Solutions | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	97	57	306	185
Other
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	25	26	79	80
Other | U.S.
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	18	19	58	60
Other | International
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 7	$ 7	$ 21	$ 20