Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			12 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount			$ 2,803	$ 2,644
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization			(1,129)	(906)
Finite-lived intangible assets, Identifiable Intangible Assets, Less Accumulated Amortization			1,674	1,738
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:			216	308
Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount			3,019	2,952
Identifiable Intangible Assets, Less Accumulated Amortization			$ 1,890	2,046
Weighted average life our finite lived intangible assets			10 years
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets			$ 237	157	$ 100
2019			224
2020			199
2021			188
2022			177
2023			158
Brands and tradenames(a)(b)
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:			104	104
In Process Research and Development
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:	[1]		105	197
Product rights
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:			7	7
Developed Technology Rights
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	[1],[2]		1,938	1,854
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	[1],[2]		(657)	(523)
Finite-lived intangible assets, Identifiable Intangible Assets, Less Accumulated Amortization	[1],[2]		1,281	1,331
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 610
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		10 years
Brands and tradenames(a)(b)
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount			424	378
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization			(223)	(205)
Finite-lived intangible assets, Identifiable Intangible Assets, Less Accumulated Amortization			201	173
Trademarks and tradenames
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 104
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		20 years
Other Intangible Assets
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount			441	412
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization			(249)	(178)
Finite-lived intangible assets, Identifiable Intangible Assets, Less Accumulated Amortization			$ 192	$ 234
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 180
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		4 years
Abaxis Inc
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 894

[1] In connection with the acquisition of Abaxis, the company recorded $894 million of intangible assets, as shown in the table below, representing the fair value at the acquisition date. See Note 5. Acquisitions and Divestitures for additional information.   Gross Carrying   Weighted-average (MILLIONS OF DOLLARS) Amount   Life (years) Finite-lived intangible assets:       Developed technology rights $ 610
  10 Brands and tradenames 104
  20 Other 180
  4 Total $ 894
   

[2] Includes intangible assets associated with the acquisitions of Platinum Performance, Phoenix Lab and ZNLabs in 2019.