Contingencies and Commitments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011 patent	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) patent	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 patent
Payments for legal settlements		$ 54
Rent expense		112	$ 101	$ 103
Rejuvenate and ABG II Voluntary Recall
Litigation liability		232
Litigation liability net of insurance recoveries		$ 144
Electrical Network Communications, Hospital Beds
Patents allegedly infringed | patent	9	6
Patents found not infringed | patent		3
Rejuvenate and ABG II Voluntary Recall | Minimum
Estimate of possible loss		$ 2,200
Rejuvenate and ABG II Voluntary Recall | Minimum | Insurance Settlement
Estimate of possible loss		1,968
Rejuvenate and ABG II Voluntary Recall | Maximum
Estimate of possible loss		2,456
Rejuvenate and ABG II Voluntary Recall | Maximum | Insurance Settlement
Estimate of possible loss		$ 2,224
Zimmer Product Infringement
Number of patents allegedly infringed upon | patent						3
Litigation settlement, amount					$ 76