CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 12,784	$ 11,673	$ 11,362
Cost of sales	7,679	7,086	6,601
Gross margin	5,105	4,587	4,761
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,867	2,469	2,535
Research and development expenses	534	521	595
Other operating income, net	(6)	(19)	(141)
Operating income	1,710	1,616	1,772
Interest Income (Expense), Net	192	134	71
Other expense, net	41	190	731
Income before income taxes	1,477	1,292	970
Income tax expense (benefit)	(182)	(182)	41
Net income	1,295	1,110	1,011
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11	8	10
Net income attributable to Baxter stockholders	$ 1,284	$ 1,102	$ 1,001
Earnings per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.56	$ 2.17	$ 1.97
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.53	$ 2.13	$ 1.93
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	502	509	509
Diluted (in shares)	508	517	519