BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	3 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2025
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Baxter International Inc. and its subsidiaries (we, our or Baxter) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (2024 Annual Report). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. All such adjustments, unless otherwise noted herein, are of a normal, recurring nature. The disclosures presented in our notes to the consolidated financial statements are presented on a continuing operations basis. The results of operations for the current interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.
Risks and Uncertainties	Risks and Uncertainties Supply Constraints, Tariffs and Global Economic Conditions We have experienced significant challenges to our global supply chain, including production delays and interruptions, increased costs and shortages of raw materials and component parts (including resins and electromechanical devices), higher transportation costs, adverse impacts from significant weather events (including Hurricane Helene, which caused the flooding of our North Cove facility), elevated inflation levels and interest rates, disruptions to certain ports of call and access to shipping ports around the world, the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East and other geopolitical events. While we have seen improvements in the availability of component parts and improved pricing in raw materials and on transportation costs, some of these challenges are expected to have a negative impact on our results of operations in the future. In addition, recent announcements regarding changes in U.S. trade policies and practices, including the implementation of global tariffs and proposed further tariffs (including potential pharmaceutical tariffs), and responses from other jurisdictions, have significantly affected financial markets and economic conditions. While we are in the process of implementing select offsets for 2025 and working to identify additional mitigation opportunities in 2025 and beyond, we currently expect that our results will be adversely affected (including as a result of a failure to achieve the anticipated offsets or an inability to identify additional mitigating actions). Additionally, continued global macroeconomic uncertainty, including in trade policies and practices, elevated tariffs and in operational and policy changes in the governments of the U.S. and other countries, could contribute to further market volatility, deteriorating or prolonged weakened economic conditions and decreased hospital capital spending levels, all of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Sole source supplier relationships may limit our ability to respond to these tariffs with alternative of lower cost raw material or component parts.