XML 65 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.4.0.3

Summary of Activity Relating to Securitization Arrangement (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts Receivable Securitization [Line Items] |  |
Sold receivables at beginning of period | $ 81 | $ 104
Proceeds from sales of receivables | 104 | 113
Cash collections (remitted to the owners of the receivables) | (107) | (120)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes | 7 | (1)
Sold receivables at end of period | $ 85 | $ 96

X
- Definition Accounts Receivable Securitization [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | bax_AccountsReceivableSecuritizationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | bax_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Cash collections remitted to owners of receivables. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | bax_CashCollectionsRemittedToOwnersOfReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | bax_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Effect of currency exchange rate changes. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | bax_EffectOfCurrencyExchangeRateChanges
Namespace Prefix: | bax_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sold receivables. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | bax_SoldReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | bax_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the proceeds from sale and collection of receivables during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration