Baxter International (BAX) 10-K 21 Feb 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	BAX
Entity Registrant Name	BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	10,456
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		512,538,202
Entity Public Float			$ 40

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 1,832	$ 3,394
Accounts and other current receivables, net		1,812	1,793
Inventories		1,653	1,475
Prepaid expenses and other		622	601
Total current assets		5,919	7,263
Property, plant and equipment, net		4,542	4,588
Other assets
Goodwill		2,958	3,099
Other intangible assets, net		1,398	1,374
Other		824	787
Total other assets		5,180	5,260
Total assets		15,641	17,111
Current liabilities
Short-term debt		2
Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations	[1]	2	3
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		2,728	2,733
Current income taxes payable		104	85
Total current liabilities		2,836	2,821
Long-term debt and lease obligations	[1]	3,473	3,509
Other long-term liabilities		1,516	1,665
Total liabilities		7,825	7,995
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 2,000,000,000 shares, issued 683,494,944 shares in 2018 and 2017		683	683
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 170,495,859 shares in 2018 and 142,017,600 shares in 2017		(9,989)	(7,981)
Additional contributed capital		5,898	5,940
Retained earnings		15,626	14,483
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(4,424)	(4,001)
Total Baxter stockholders’ equity		7,794	9,124
Noncontrolling interests		22	(8)
Total equity		7,816	9,116
Total liabilities and equity		$ 15,641	$ 17,111
[1]	Book values include any discounts, premiums and adjustments related to hedging instruments.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized	2,000,000,000	2,000,000,000
Common stock, issued	683,494,944	683,494,944
Treasury stock, shares	170,495,859	142,017,600

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 11,127		$ 10,561		$ 10,163
Cost of sales	6,346		6,091		6,047
Gross margin	4,781	[1]	4,470	[2]	4,116
Marketing and administrative expenses	2,617		2,566		2,725
Research and development expenses	655		613		646
Other operating income	(90)
Operating income	1,599		1,291		745
Net interest expense	45		55		66
Other (income) expense, net	(139)		19		(4,275)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,693		1,217		4,954
Income tax expense (benefit)	63		493		(12)
Income from continuing operations	1,630	[1]	724	[2]	4,966
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(6)		(7)		(1)
Net income	$ 1,624		$ 717		$ 4,965
Income from continuing operations per common share
Basic	$ 3.05	[1]	$ 1.33	[2]	$ 9.10
Diluted	2.99	[1]	1.30	[2]	9.01
Loss from discontinued operations per common share
Basic	(0.01)		(0.01)		(0.01)
Diluted	(0.02)		(0.01)
Net income per common share
Basic	3.04	[1]	1.32	[2]	9.09
Diluted	$ 2.97	[1]	$ 1.29	[2]	$ 9.01
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Basic	534		543		546
Diluted	546		555		551
[1]	The first quarter of 2018 included a net benefit of $37 million due to a settlement of certain claims related to the acquired operations of Claris and an update to the estimated impact of U.S. federal tax reform previously made by the company offset by business optimization charges, acquisition and integration expenses and certain product litigation costs. The second quarter of 2018 included charges of $44 million related to business optimization and acquisition and integration expenses. The third quarter of 2018 included a net benefit of $138 million related to Hurricane Maria insurance recoveries, an update to the estimated impact of U.S. federal tax reform previously made by the company and an adjustment to the accrual related to the SIGMA SPECTRUM infusion pump inspection and remediation activities offset by business optimization charges, acquisition and integration expenses and European medical devices regulation costs. The fourth quarter of 2018 included charges of $34 million related to business optimization, acquisition and integration expenses, European medical devices regulation costs and an update to the estimated impact of U.S. federal tax reform previously made by the company offset by Hurricane Maria insurance recoveries and a reduction to the accrual related to the SIGMA SPECTRUM infusion pump inspections and remediation activities.
[2]	The first quarter of 2017 included charges of $17 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs and historical rebate and discount adjustments. The second quarter of 2017 included charges of $57 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Venezuela deconsolidation costs, Claris acquisition and integration expenses and adjustments to historical product reserves. The third quarter of 2017 included charges of $82 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Hurricane Maria costs, Claris acquisition and integration expenses and SIGMA SPECTRUM infusion pump inspection and remediation activities. The fourth quarter of 2017 included charges of $388 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Claris acquisition and integration expenses, Hurricane Maria costs, litigation and contractual disputes for business arrangements in which the company is no longer engaged or a party thereto and the impact of tax reform in the United States.

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 1,624	$ 717	$ 4,965
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax (benefit) expense of $58 in 2018, $91 in 2017 and ($39) in 2016	(461)	425	(247)
Pension and other employee benefits, net of tax expense (benefit) of $9 in 2018, $62 in 2017, and ($36) in 2016	32	141	(97)
Hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $3 in 2018, ($6) in 2017, and ($2) in 2016	9	(13)	(4)
Available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense of zero in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively		2	(4,432)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(420)	555	(4,780)
Comprehensive income	$ 1,204	$ 1,272	$ 185

Consolidated Statements of Co_2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax (benefit) expense on currency translation adjustments	$ 58	$ 91	$ (39)
Tax expense (benefit) on pension and other employee benefits	9	62	(36)
Tax (benefit) expense on hedging activities	3	(6)	(2)
Tax expense on available-for-sale securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operations
Net income	$ 1,624	$ 717	$ 4,965
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash from operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	6	7	1
Depreciation and amortization	785	761	800
Deferred income taxes	(267)	211	(302)
Stock compensation	115	107	115
Realized excess tax benefits from stock issued under employee benefit plans			(39)
Net periodic pension benefit and OPEB costs	41	126	116
Business optimization items	117	70	285
Net realized gains on Baxalta common stock			(4,387)
Other	35	36	246
Changes in balance sheet items
Accounts and other current receivables, net	(12)	30	15
Inventories	(197)	76	80
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	53	84	(197)
Business optimization payments	(99)	(143)	(164)
Other	(105)	(229)	90
Cash flows from operations – continuing operations	2,096	1,853	1,624
Cash flows from operations – discontinued operations		(16)	30
Cash flows from operations	2,096	1,837	1,654
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(681)	(634)	(719)
Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired	(268)	(686)	(48)
Divestitures and other investing activities	11	10	37
Cash flows from investing activities – continuing operations	(938)	(1,310)	(730)
Cash flows from investing activities – discontinued operations			15
Cash flows from investing activities	(938)	(1,310)	(715)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuances of debt		633	1,641
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations	(5)	(1)	(1,381)
Debt extinguishment costs			(16)
Decrease in debt with original maturities of three months or less, net			(300)
Cash dividends on common stock	(376)	(315)	(268)
Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans	258	347	286
Purchases of treasury stock	(2,452)	(564)	(292)
Other	(28)	(39)	6
Cash flows from financing activities	(2,603)	61	(324)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(117)	5	(27)
(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,562)	593	588
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,394	2,801	2,213
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	1,832	3,394	2,801
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
Net proceeds on Retained Shares transactions			4,387
Payment of obligations in exchange for Retained Shares			3,646
Exchange of Baxter shares with Retained Shares			611
(Increases) decreases in the accrual for capital expenditures	(33)	9	28
Other supplemental information
Interest paid, net of portion capitalized	94	80	99
Income taxes paid	$ 302	$ 255	$ 500

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Common Stock in Treasury	Additional Contributed Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest	Parent
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 683	$ (7,646)	$ 5,902	$ 9,683	$ 224	$ 19
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2015		683,000,000
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2015			136,000,000
Net income	$ 4,965				4,965
Purchases of common stock	$ (292)		$ (902)
Purchases of common stock, shares	6,300,000		18,000,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (4,780)					(4,780)
Change in noncontrolling interests							(29)
Dividends declared on common stock					(276)
Stock issued under employee benefit plans and other			$ 553	43
Stock issued under employee benefit plans and other, shares			(10,000,000)
Other				13
Stock issued under employee benefit plans					(190)
Distribution of Baxalta					18
End of year at Dec. 31, 2016	8,280	$ 683	$ (7,995)	5,958	14,200	(4,556)	(10)	$ 8,290
End of year at Dec. 31, 2016		683,000,000
End of year at Dec. 31, 2016			144,000,000
Net income	717				717
Purchases of common stock	$ (564)		$ (564)
Purchases of common stock, shares	9,200,000		9,000,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 555					555
Change in noncontrolling interests							2
Dividends declared on common stock					(334)
Stock issued under employee benefit plans and other			$ 578	(19)
Stock issued under employee benefit plans and other, shares			(11,000,000)
Other				1
Stock issued under employee benefit plans					(134)
Distribution of Baxalta					34
End of year at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 9,116	$ 683	$ (7,981)	5,940	14,483	(4,001)	(8)	9,124
End of year at Dec. 31, 2017	683,494,944	683,000,000
End of year at Dec. 31, 2017	142,017,600		142,000,000
Net income	$ 1,624				1,624
Purchases of common stock	$ (2,500)		$ (2,415)	(60)
Purchases of common stock, shares	35,800,000		36,000,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (420)					(420)
Change in noncontrolling interests							30
Dividends declared on common stock					(392)
Stock issued under employee benefit plans and other			$ 407	17
Stock issued under employee benefit plans and other, shares			(8,000,000)
Other				1
Stock issued under employee benefit plans					(71)
Adoption of new accounting standards					(18)	(3)
End of year at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 7,816		$ (9,989)	$ 5,898	$ 15,626	$ (4,424)	$ 22	$ 7,794
End of year at Dec. 31, 2018	683,494,944	683,000,000
End of year at Dec. 31, 2018	170,495,859		170,000,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Operations Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a broad portfolio of essential healthcare products, including acute and chronic dialysis therapies; sterile intravenous (IV) solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; inhaled anesthetics; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; and surgical hemostat and sealant products. The company’s global footprint and the critical nature of its products and services play a key role in expanding access to healthcare in emerging and developed countries. These products are used by hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors’ offices and by patients at home under physician supervision. The company operates in three segments: Americas, EMEA and APAC, which are described in Note 18. Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires the company to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Baxter and its majority-owned subsidiaries that Baxter controls, after elimination of intercompany transactions. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period consolidated financial statements to the current period presentation. On November 18, 2018, Baxter acquired a controlling financial interest in its joint venture in Saudi Arabia. The acquisition allows the company to increase manufacturing output and utilize the facilities for additional capacity for certain products in the region. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018, the company consolidated the financial statements of the joint venture with the company's consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 5 for additional information. On March 16, 2018, Baxter acquired two hemostat and sealant products from Mallinckrodt plc: RECOTHROM Thrombin topical (Recombinant) and PREVELEAK Surgical Sealant for total consideration of $184 million. Beginning March 16, 2018, Baxter’s financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK. Refer to Note 5 for additional information. On July 27, 2017, Baxter acquired 100 percent of Claris Injectables Limited (Claris), a wholly owned subsidiary of Claris Lifesciences Limited, for total cash consideration of approximately $629 million, net of cash acquired. Beginning July 27, 2017, Baxter’s financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of Claris. Refer to Note 5 for additional information. On July 1, 2015, Baxter completed the distribution of approximately 80.5% of the outstanding common stock of Baxalta Incorporated (Baxalta), to Baxter stockholders (the Distribution). In 2016, Baxter disposed of its remaining 19.5% interest in Baxalta through a series of transactions including debt-for-equity exchanges, an equity-for-equity exchange and a contribution to its U.S. pension plan. As a result of these transactions, the company extinguished approximately $3.65 billion in company indebtedness, repurchased 11,526,638 Baxter shares and contributed 17,145,570 Baxalta shares to its U.S. pension plan. On June 3, 2016, Baxalta became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shire plc (Shire). In January 2019, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) acquired Shire. References in this report to Baxalta prior to the Merger closing date refer to Baxalta as a stand-alone public company. References in this report to Baxalta subsequent to the Merger closing date refer to Baxalta as a subsidiary of Shire. As a result of the separation, the consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of cash flow, and related financial information reflect Baxalta’s operations, assets and liabilities, and cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Refer to Note 2 for additional information regarding the separation of Baxalta. Currency restrictions enacted in Venezuela require Baxter to obtain approval from the Venezuelan government to exchange Venezuelan bolivars for U.S. dollars and require such exchange to be made at the official exchange rate established by the government. In the first quarter of 2016, the Venezuelan government moved from the three-tier exchange rate system to a two-tiered exchange rate system and the official rate for food and medicine imports was adjusted from 6.3 to 10 bolivars per U.S. dollar. Due to a decline in transactions settled at the official rate or the secondary rate and limitations on the company’s ability to repatriate funds generated by its Venezuela operations, the company concluded in the second quarter of 2017 that it no longer met the accounting criteria for control over its business in Venezuela and the company deconsolidated its Venezuelan operations on June 30, 2017. As a result of deconsolidating the Venezuelan operations, the company recorded a pre-tax charge of $33 million in other (income) expense, net in 2017. This charge included the write-off of the company’s investment in its Venezuelan operations, related cumulative translation adjustments and elimination of intercompany amounts. Beginning in the third quarter of 2017, the company no longer included the results of its Venezuelan business in its consolidated financial statements. In 2018, the company liquidated its subsidiary in Venezuela and currently sells direct to distributors in that country through legal entities outside of Venezuela. These distributors purchase applicable products from the company in U.S. dollars and are responsible for importing those products into Venezuela. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused damage to certain of the company's assets in Puerto Rico and disrupted operations. Insurance, less applicable deductibles and subject to any coverage exclusions, covers the repair or replacement of the company's assets that suffered loss or damage, and also provides coverage for interruption to its business, including lost profits, and reimbursement for other expenses and costs that have been incurred relating to the damages and losses suffered. In 2017, the company recorded $32 million of pre-tax charges related to damages caused by the hurricane, including $11 million related to the impairment of damaged inventory and fixed assets as well as $21 million of idle facility and other costs. These amounts were recorded as a component of cost of sales in the consolidated statement of income for year ended December 31, 2017. In 2018, the company recognized $42 million of insurance recoveries related to the previously mentioned asset impairments and idle facility and other costs suffered as a result of the hurricane. These benefits were recorded as a reduction of cost of sales and within other operating income in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2018. At this time, any additional insurance recoveries are not realizable, and accordingly, no additional amounts have been recorded as of December 31, 2018. Revenue Recognition The company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) as of January 1, 2018. Results for the year ended December 31, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while earlier periods are presented under previous guidance. See further discussion of the impact of Topic 606 below under the header “New Accounting Standards.” Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control of the company’s products or services. The company’s global payment terms are typically between 30-90 days. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account in the contract. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Some of the company’s contracts have multiple performance obligations. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the company allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using its best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. The majority of the company’s performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time. This includes sales of the company’s broad portfolio of essential healthcare products across its geographic segments including acute and chronic dialysis therapies; sterile IV solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; inhaled anesthetics; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; and surgical hemostat and sealant products. For a majority of these sales, the company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon delivery to the customer. Shipping and handling activities are considered to be fulfillment activities and are not considered to be a separate performance obligation. To a lesser extent, in all the company’s segments, the company enters into other types of contracts including contract manufacturing arrangements, equipment leases, and certain subscription software and licensing arrangements. The company recognizes revenue for these arrangements over time or at a point in time depending on its evaluation of when the customer obtains control of the promised goods or services. Revenue is recognized over time when the company is creating or enhancing an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced or the company’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use and the company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed. On December 31, 2018, the company had $8.4 billion of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations related to executed contracts with an original duration of one year or more which are primarily included in the Americas segment. Some contracts in the United States included in this amount contain index-dependent price increases, which are not known at this time. The company expects to recognize approximately 20% of this amount as revenue each in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, 15% in 2023, and the remaining balance thereafter. Significant Judgments Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net sales price (transaction price), which includes estimates of variable consideration for reserves related to rebates, product returns, sales discounts and wholesaler chargebacks. These reserves are based on estimates of the amounts earned or to be claimed on the related sales and are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Management's estimates take into consideration historical experience, current contractual and statutory requirements, specific known market events and trends, industry data, and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. Overall, these reserves reflect the company’s best estimates of the amount of consideration to which it is entitled based on the terms of the contract using the expected value method. The amount of variable consideration included in the net sales price is limited to the amount that is probable not to result in a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized in a future period. Revenue recognized in the current period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods was not material. The company’s contracts with customers sometimes include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may require significant judgment. Judgment is also required to determine the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation and whether there is a discount to be allocated based on the relative stand-alone selling price of the various products and services. Contract Balances The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and customer advances and deposits (contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance sheet. Net trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018 were $1.7 billion. Generally, for certain contract manufacturing and software arrangements, revenue recognition occurs prior to billing, resulting in contract assets. These assets are reported on the consolidated balance sheet on an individual basis at the end of each reporting period. The contract asset balances at December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018 were $80 million and $73 million, respectively. The contract assets as of December 31, 2018 are presented within accounts and other current receivables, net ($50 million) and other ($30 million) on the consolidated balance sheet. The company had contract assets of $33 million and $31 million as of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively, related to certain contract manufacturing arrangements for which revenue is recognized throughout the production cycle which typically lasts up to 90 days. The company had contract assets of $47 million and $42 million as of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively, related to certain software arrangements for which revenue is recognized upon delivery to the customer, however the customer is billed over time, generally between one and five years. The company had no contract liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively. Practical Expedients The company applies a practical expedient to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract with a customer when the amortization period would have been one year or less. The company does not disclose the value of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less. The company has elected to use the practical expedient to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if it is expected, at contract inception, that the period between when the company transfers a promised good or service to a customer, and when the customer pays for that good or service, will be one year or less. Additionally, all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected from a customer are excluded from revenue. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts In the normal course of business, the company provides credit to its customers, performs credit evaluations of these customers and maintains reserves for potential credit losses. In determining the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts, the company considers, among other items, historical credit losses, the past-due status of receivables, payment histories and other customer-specific information. Receivables are written off when the company determines they are uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $110 million at December 31, 2018 and $120 million at December 31, 2017. Product Warranties The company provides for the estimated costs relating to product warranties at the time the related revenue is recognized. The cost is determined based on actual company experience for the same or similar products, as well as other relevant information. Product warranty liabilities are adjusted based on changes in estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash, certificates of deposit and money market funds with an original maturity of three months or less. Inventories as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Raw materials $ 363 $ 347 Work in process 203 116 Finished goods 1,087 1,012 Inventories $ 1,653 $ 1,475 Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market value. Market value for raw materials is based on replacement costs, and market value for work in process and finished goods is based on net realizable Property, Plant and Equipment, Net as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Land $ 142 $ 144 Buildings and leasehold improvements 1,698 1,687 Machinery and equipment 6,331 6,220 Equipment with customers 1,457 1,403 Construction in progress 699 694 Total property, plant and equipment, at cost 10,327 10,148 Accumulated depreciation (5,785 ) (5,560 ) Property, plant and equipment (PP&E), net $ 4,542 $ 4,588 Depreciation expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 20 to 50 years for buildings and improvements and from three to 15 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related facility lease (including any renewal periods, if appropriate) or the asset, whichever is shorter. Baxter capitalizes certain computer software and software development costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use as part of machinery and equipment. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, and are included in depreciation expense. Straight-line and accelerated methods of depreciation are used for income tax purposes. Depreciation expense was $613 million in 2018, $607 million in 2017 and $632 million in 2016. Depreciation expense in 2018, 2017 and 2016 included accelerated depreciation of $9 million, $18 million and $48 million, respectively, related to business optimization and Baxalta separation costs. In 2018, the estimated useful life of the company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) software was extended from 2020 on a prospective basis based on the company’s commitment to upgrade, enhance and support its existing systems through 2028. This change in estimate resulted in a reduction of depreciation expense of $24 million and increase in net income of $20 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018. Acquisitions Results of operations of acquired companies are included in the company’s results of operations as of the respective acquisition dates. The purchase price of each acquisition is allocated to the net assets acquired based on estimates of their fair values at the date of the acquisition. Any purchase price in excess of these net assets is recorded as goodwill. The allocation of purchase price in certain cases may be subject to revision based on the final determination of fair values during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. Contingent consideration related to business combinations is recognized at the estimated fair value on the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair value of contingent payments are recognized in earnings. Contingent payments related to acquisitions may consist of development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, in addition to sales-based payments, and are valued using discounted cash flow techniques. The fair value of development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments reflects management’s expectations of probability of payment, and increases or decreases as the probability of payment or expectation of timing of payments changes. The fair value of sales-based payments is based upon probability-weighted future revenue estimates and increases or decreases as revenue estimates or expectation of timing of payments changes. Research and Development Research and development (R&D) costs, including R&D acquired in transactions that are not business combinations, are expensed as incurred. Pre-regulatory approval contingent milestone obligations to counterparties in collaborative arrangements which include acquired R&D are expensed when the milestone is achieved. Contingent milestone payments made to such counterparties on or after regulatory approval are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the related product. Amounts capitalized for such payments are included in other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization. Acquired in-process R&D (IPR&D) is the value assigned to technology or products under development acquired in a business combination which have not received regulatory approval and have no alternative future use. Acquired IPR&D is capitalized as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Development costs incurred after the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Upon receipt of regulatory approval of the related technology or product, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is accounted for as a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic life of the related technology or product, subject to annual impairment reviews as discussed below. If the R&D project is abandoned, the indefinite-lived asset is charged to expense. Collaborative Arrangements The company enters into collaborative arrangements in the normal course of business. These collaborative arrangements take a number of forms and structures, and are designed to enhance and expedite long-term sales and profitability growth. These arrangements may provide that Baxter obtain commercialization rights to a product under development, and require Baxter to make upfront payments, contingent milestone payments, profit-sharing, and/or royalty payments. Baxter may be responsible for ongoing costs associated with the arrangements, including R&D cost reimbursements to the counterparty. See above regarding the accounting treatment of upfront and contingent payments. Any royalty and profit-sharing payments during the commercialization phase are expensed as cost of sales when they become due and payable. Business Optimization Charges The company records liabilities for costs associated with exit or disposal activities in the period in which the liability is incurred. Employee termination costs are primarily recorded when actions are probable and estimable. Costs for one-time termination benefits in which the employee is required to render service until termination in order to receive the benefits are recognized ratably over the future service period. Refer to the discussion below regarding the accounting for asset impairment charges. Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Other Long-Lived Assets Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment review annually and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The company has the option to assess goodwill for impairment by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the company determines that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required to be performed. If the company determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if it does not elect the option to perform an initial qualitative assessment, it performs the two-step goodwill impairment test. In the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its book value including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of its book value, the related goodwill is not impaired and no further analysis is necessary. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, there is an indication of potential impairment and a second step is performed. When required, the second step of testing involves calculating the implied fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as goodwill recognized in a business combination, which is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit determined in step one over the fair value of its net assets, including identifiable intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as IPR&D acquired in business combinations and certain trademarks with indefinite lives, are subject to an impairment review annually and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The company has the option to assess indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by first performing qualitative assessments to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of its indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than the carrying amounts. If the company determines that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, or if it elects not to perform an initial qualitative assessment, it then performs the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, the company writes the carrying amount down to the fair value. The company reviews the carrying amounts of long-lived assets, other than goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization, for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating recoverability, the company groups assets and liabilities at the lowest level such that the identifiable cash flows relating to the group are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The company then compares the carrying amounts of the assets or asset groups with the related estimated undiscounted future cash flows. In the event impairment exists, an impairment charge is recorded as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value. Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping costs, which are costs incurred to physically move product from Baxter’s premises to the customer’s premises, are classified as marketing and administrative expenses. Handling costs, which are costs incurred to store, move and prepare products for shipment, are classified as cost of sales. Approximately $329 million in 2018, $291 million in 2017 and $311 million in 2016 of shipping costs were classified in marketing and administrative expenses. Income Taxes Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based on enacted tax laws and rates. The company maintains valuation allowances unless it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized. With respect to uncertain tax positions, the company determines whether the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. Any tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured and recognized in the consolidated financial statements at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The liability relating to uncertain tax positions is classified as current in the consolidated balance sheets to the extent the company anticipates making a payment within one year. Interest and penalties associated with income taxes are classified in the income tax expense line in the consolidated statements of income. Refer to the Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements section of this note and Note 16 for additional information related to the 2017 Tax Act. Foreign Currency Translation Currency translation adjustments (CTA) related to foreign operations are included in other comprehensive income (OCI). For foreign operations in highly inflationary economies, translation gains and losses are included in other (income) expense, net, and were not material in 2018, 2017 and 2016. Derivatives and Hedging Activities All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and are classified as short-term or long-term based on the scheduled maturity of the instrument. The company designates certain of its derivative instruments as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges. For each derivative instrument that is designated and effective as a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and then recognized in earnings consistent with the underlying hedged item. Option premiums or net premiums paid are initially recorded as assets and reclassified to OCI over the life of the option, and then recognized in earnings consistent with the underlying hedged item. Cash flow hedges are classified in net sales, cost of sales, and net interest expense, and primarily related to forecasted third-party sales denominated in foreign currencies, forecasted intercompany sales denominated in foreign currencies and anticipated issuances of debt, respectively. For each derivative instrument that is designated and effective as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized immediately to earnings, and offsets the loss or gain on the underlying hedged item. Fair value hedges are classified in net interest expense, as they hedge the interest rate risk associated with certain of the company’s fixed-rate debt. For a portion of the company’s senior notes, the company has designated this debt as a hedge of its net investment in its European operations, and, as a result, mark to spot rate adjustments of the outstanding debt balances have been and will be recorded as a component of AOCI. For derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges, the change in fair value is recorded directly to other (income) expense, net. If it is determined that a derivative or nonderivative hedging instrument is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. If the company removes the cash flow hedge designation because the hedged forecasted transactions are no longer probable of occurring, any gains or losses are immediately reclassified from AOCI to earnings. Gains or losses relating to terminations of effective cash flow hedges in which the forecasted transactions are still probable of occurring are deferred and recognized consistent with the income or loss recognition of the underlying hedged items. If the company terminates a fair value hedge, an amount equal to the cumulative fair value adjustment to the hedged items at the date of termination is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedged item. If the company removes the net investment hedge designation, any gains or losses recognized in AOCI are not reclassified to earnings until the company sells, liquidates, or deconsolidates the foreign investments that were being hedged. Derivatives, including those that are not designated as a hedge, are principally classified in the operating section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 10 for further information regarding the company’s derivative and hedging activities. New Accounting Standards Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. As a result of the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the reclassification of certain tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings. The optional guidance is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The company plans to adopt this guidance and is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The purpose of this ASU is to better align a company’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships, simplify the hedge accounting requirements, and improve the disclosures of hedging arrangements. The effect

SEPARATION OF BAXALTA INCORPORA

SEPARATION OF BAXALTA INCORPORATED	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
SEPARATION OF BAXALTA INCORPORATED	NOTE 2 SEPARATION OF BAXALTA INCORPORATED On July 1, 2015, Baxter completed the distribution of approximately 80.5% of the outstanding common stock of Baxalta to Baxter stockholders (the Distribution). After giving effect to the Distribution, the company retained 19.5% of the outstanding common stock, or 131,902,719 shares of Baxalta (Retained Shares). The Distribution was made to Baxter’s stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 17, 2015 (Record Date), who received one share of Baxalta common stock for each Baxter common share held as of the Record Date. As a result of the Distribution, Baxalta became an independent public company. On June 3, 2016, Baxalta became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shire through a merger of a wholly-owned Shire subsidiary with and into Baxalta, with Baxalta as the surviving subsidiary (the Merger). In January 2019, Takeda acquired Shire. On July 1, 2015, Baxter transferred net assets of $4.1 billion to Baxalta as a result of the separation. In 2016 and 2017, Baxter recorded certain separation related adjustments within equity of $18 million and $34 million, respectively. For a portion of Baxalta’s operations, the legal transfer of Baxalta’s assets and liabilities did not occur with the separation of Baxalta on July 1, 2015 due to the time required to transfer marketing authorizations and other regulatory requirements in certain countries. Under the terms of the International Commercial Operations Agreement (ICOA), Baxalta was subject to the risks and entitled to the benefits generated by these operations and assets until legal transfer; therefore, the net economic benefit and any cash collected by these entities by Baxter was transferred to Baxalta. As of December 31, 2017, all operations and assets in all countries have been separated. The following table is a summary of the operating results related to Baxalta, which have been reflected as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Major classes of line items constituting income from discontinued operations before income taxes Net sales $ — $ 7 $ 148 Cost of sales — (5 ) (139 ) Marketing and administrative expenses — (1 ) (20 ) Research and development expenses — — — Other (expense) income (13 ) — 1 Total (loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (13 ) 1 (10 ) Gain on disposal of discontinued operations — 2 19 Income tax expense (benefit) (7 ) — 10 Total (loss) income from discontinued operations $ (6 ) $ 3 $ (1 ) In 2016, the company transferred $161 million of net assets to Baxalta resulting in a pre-tax gain of $19 million. In 2017, the remaining assets were transferred resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2 million. These gains are recorded within (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax. Baxter and Baxalta entered into several additional agreements in connection with the July 1, 2015 separation, including a transition services agreement (TSA), separation and distribution agreement, manufacturing and supply agreements (MSA), tax matters agreement and a long-term services agreement. Pursuant to the TSA, Baxter and Baxalta and their respective subsidiaries provided to each other, on an interim, transitional basis, various services. Services provided by Baxter included, among others, finance, information technology, human resources, quality, supply chain and certain other administrative services. The services generally commenced on the Distribution date and terminated as of July 1, 2018. Billings by Baxter under the TSA were recorded as a reduction of the costs to provide the respective service in the applicable expense category, primarily in marketing and administrative expenses, in the consolidated statements of income. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, the company recognized approximately $9 million, $56 million and $101 million, respectively, as a reduction to marketing and administrative expenses related to the TSA. Pursuant to the MSA, Baxalta or Baxter, as the case may be, manufactures, labels, and packages products for the other party. The terms of the agreements range in initial duration from five to 10 years. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, Baxter recognized approximately $29 million, $22 million and $39 million, respectively, in sales to Baxalta. In addition, in 2018, 2017 and 2016, Baxter recognized approximately $152 million, $170 million and $189 million, respectively, in cost of sales related to purchases from Baxalta pursuant to the MSA. The cash flows associated with these agreements are included in cash flows from operations — continuing operations. Cash outflows of $16 million in 2017 and inflows of $30 million in 2016 were reported in cash flows from operations – discontinued operations. These cash flows relate to non-assignable tenders whereby Baxter remained the seller of Baxalta products, transactions related to importation services Baxter provided in certain countries and trade payables settled following local separation on Baxalta’s behalf.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION	NOTE 3 SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION Prepaid Expenses and Other as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Prepaid value added taxes $ 130 $ 134 Prepaid income taxes 79 99 Other 413 368 Prepaid expenses and other $ 622 $ 601 Other Long-Term Assets as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Deferred income taxes $ 461 $ 408 Other long-term receivables 173 187 All other 190 192 Other long-term assets $ 824 $ 787 Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Accounts payable, principally trade $ 1,004 $ 920 Common stock dividends payable 101 87 Employee compensation and withholdings 485 548 Property, payroll and certain other taxes 130 143 Business optimization reserves 90 100 Accrued rebates 193 218 All other 725 717 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 2,728 $ 2,733 Other Long-Term Liabilities as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Pension and other employee benefits $ 1,113 $ 1,211 Deferred tax liabilities 205 280 Litigation reserves 28 27 Business optimization reserves 11 12 All other 159 135 Other long-term liabilities $ 1,516 $ 1,665 Net Interest Expense years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Interest costs $ 105 $ 98 $ 107 Interest costs capitalized (12 ) (13 ) (18 ) Interest expense 93 85 89 Interest income (48 ) (30 ) (23 ) Net interest expense $ 45 $ 55 $ 66 Other (Income) Expense, net years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Foreign exchange $ (73 ) $ (50 ) $ (28 ) Net loss on debt extinguishment — — 153 Net realized gains on Retained Shares transaction — — (4,387 ) Gain on sale of investments and other assets (6 ) (3 ) (3 ) Saudi Arabia joint venture gain (24 ) — — Venezuela deconsolidation — 33 — Pension and other postemployment benefit plans (48 ) 33 21 All other 12 6 (31 ) Other (income) expense, net $ (139 ) $ 19 $ (4,275 )

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	NOTE 4 EARNINGS PER SHARE The numerator for both basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) is either net income, income from continuing operations, or loss from discontinued operations. The denominator for basic EPS is the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) is reflected in the denominator for diluted EPS using the treasury stock method. The following table is a reconciliation of basic shares to diluted shares. years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Basic shares 534 543 546 Effect of dilutive securities 12 12 5 Diluted shares 546 555 551 The effect of dilutive securities included unexercised stock options, unvested RSUs and contingently issuable shares related to granted PSUs. The computation of diluted EPS excluded 3 million, 2 million, and nil equity awards in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect on diluted EPS. Refer to Note 13 for additional information regarding items impacting basic shares.

ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER ARRANGEM

ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS	NOTE 5 ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS Claris Injectables Limited On July 27, 2017, Baxter acquired 100 percent of Claris, a wholly owned subsidiary of Claris Lifesciences Limited, for total cash consideration of approximately $629 million, net of cash acquired. Through the acquisition, Baxter added capabilities in production of essential generic injectable medicines, such as anesthesia and analgesics, renal, anti-infectives and critical care in a variety of presentations including bags, vials and ampoules. In the third quarter of 2018, the company finalized its valuation of the acquisition date assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The measurement period adjustments in 2018 included a $2 million reduction in property, plant and equipment, a $1 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and a $2 million increase in other long-term liabilities. These adjustments resulted in a corresponding increase to goodwill of $5 million. The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on Baxter’s results of operations in 2018. The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date for the company’s acquisition of Claris: (in millions) Assets acquired and liabilities assumed Cash $ 11 Accounts and other current receivables 16 Inventories 30 Prepaid expenses and other 16 Property, plant and equipment 130 Goodwill 296 Other intangible assets 280 Other 20 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (23 ) Other long-term liabilities (136 ) Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 640 The results of operations of Claris have been included in the company’s consolidated statement of income since the date the business was acquired. The Claris acquisition contributed $140 million and $57 million, respectively, of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Acquisition and integration costs associated with the Claris acquisition were $33 million in 2018 and $28 million in 2017, and were primarily included within marketing and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Baxter allocated $280 million of the total consideration to acquired intangible assets. The acquired intangible assets include $140 million of developed technology with a weighted-average useful life of eight years and $140 million of IPR&D with an indefinite useful life. For the IPR&D, additional R&D will be required prior to technological feasibility. The fair value of intangible assets was determined using the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique that provides an estimate of the fair value of an asset based on market participant expectations of the cash flows an asset will generate over its remaining useful life, discounted to present value. The discount rates used to measure the developed technology and IPR&D intangible assets were 12% and 13%, respectively. The company considers the fair value of each of the acquired intangible assets to be Level 3 measurements due to the significant estimates and assumptions used by management in establishing the estimated fair values. Refer to Note 11 for additional information regarding fair value measurements. The goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes, includes the value of potential future technologies as well as the overall strategic benefits to Baxter in the injectables market, and is included in the Americas segment. In the first quarter of 2018, Baxter and Claris Lifesciences Limited settled certain claims related to the acquired operations and terminated a development agreement with Dorizoe Lifesciences Limited. As a result, Baxter received $73 million in February 2018 and was released from an accrued liability to Claris Lifesciences Limited of $7 million. The total of $80 million is reflected as a benefit within other operating income in the 2018 consolidated statement of income. RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK On March 16, 2018, Baxter acquired two hemostat and sealant products from Mallinckrodt plc: RECOTHROM Thrombin topical (Recombinant), the first and only stand-alone recombinant thrombin, and PREVELEAK Surgical Sealant, which is used in vascular reconstruction. The company concluded that the acquired assets met the definition of a business and accounted for the transaction as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price included an upfront payment of approximately $163 million in 2018. In addition, the purchase price included new and assumed contingent payments in the future related to inventory and technology transfer milestones and net revenue royalty payments with an estimated fair value of $21 million as of the acquisition date. The maximum aggregate amounts payable for the inventory and technology transfer and net revenue royalties were $7 million, $15 million and $143 million, respectively. The fair value of the potential contingent consideration payments was estimated by applying a probability-weighted expected payment model for the inventory and technology transfer payments and a Monte Carlo simulation model for contingent royalty payments, which were then discounted to present value. The fair value measurements were based on Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 11 for additional information regarding fair value measurements. The following table summarizes total consideration: (in millions) Cash $ 163 Contingent consideration 21 Total consideration $ 184 The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired as of the acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired Accounts receivable $ 2 Inventory 80 Goodwill 2 Other intangible assets 100 Total assets acquired $ 184 The valuations of the assets acquired are final. The results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the company’s consolidated statement of income since the date the business was acquired. The RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK acquisitions contributed $52 million of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018. Baxter allocated $100 million of the total consideration to the RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK developed product rights with a weighted-average useful life of 10 years. The fair value of the intangible assets was determined using the income approach. The discount rates used to measure the RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK intangible assets were 12.5% and 13%, respectively. The company considers the fair value of the intangible assets to be Level 3 measurements due to the significant estimates and assumptions used by management in establishing the estimated fair values. Refer to Note 11 for additional information regarding fair value measurements. The goodwill, which is deductible for tax purposes, includes the value of potential future technologies as well as the overall strategic benefits provided to Baxter’s surgical portfolio of hemostats and sealants, and is included in the Americas segment. Saudi Arabia Joint Venture In November 2018, the company acquired additional equity to obtain a 51% controlling financial interest of its joint venture in Saudi Arabia that was previously accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The acquisition allows the company to increase manufacturing output and utilize the facilities for additional capacity for certain products in the region. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018, the company consolidated the financial statements of the joint venture with the company's consolidated financial statements. The results of operations of the joint venture have been included in the company’s consolidated statement of income since the date the business was acquired and were not significant. The guidance on accounting for business combinations requires that an acquirer remeasure its previously held equity interest in an acquiree at its acquisition date fair value and recognize the resulting gain or loss in earnings. Thus, in connection with the acquisition, the carrying amount of the company’s previously held equity interest in the joint venture was remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date, resulting in a gain in the fourth quarter of 2018 of $24 million which was included in other (income) expense, net in the consolidated statement of income. The fair value of the equity interest on the acquisition date was $39 million and the company considers the fair value to be a Level 3 measurement due to the significant estimates and assumptions used by management in establishing the estimated fair value. The following table summarizes the fair value of consideration transferred: (in millions) Consideration transferred Cash $ 2 Fair value of equity investment 39 Noncontrolling interest 39 Total consideration transferred $ 80 The following table summarizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired and liabilities assumed Cash $ 4 Accounts and other current receivables 25 Inventories 8 Property, plant and equipment 12 Goodwill 17 Other Intangible assets 40 Other 2 Short-term debt (4 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (16 ) Other long-term liabilities (8 ) Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 80 The goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes, includes the value to create a more fully integrated supply chain and go-to-market business model, and is included in the EMEA segment. In connection with the acquisition, the company reacquired certain license rights which had provided the joint venture with the exclusive and perpetual rights to manufacture and distribute Baxter products for sale in specified territories. Reacquired license rights with fair values totaling $10 million were assigned a useful life of 12 years. Other amortizable intangible assets consist of customer relationships and have a weighted-average estimated useful life of 10 years. The intangible assets were valued using the income approach. The discount rates used to measure the reacquired rights and customer relationship intangible assets were 13% and 14%, respectively. The company considers the fair value of each of the acquired intangible assets to be Level 3 measurements due to the significant estimates and assumptions used by management in establishing the estimated fair values. The fair value of the 49% noncontrolling interest in the joint venture is estimated to be $39 million. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest was estimated using the income approach applied to the projected cash flows of the joint venture. As the joint venture is a private company, the fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. Other Business Combinations Total consideration transferred for other acquisitions totaled $36 million, $16 million and $4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and primarily resulted in the recognition of intangible assets. These acquisitions did not materially affect the company’s results of operations. The Company has not presented pro forma financial information for any of the 2018, 2017 or 2016 acquisitions because their results are not material to the company’s consolidated financial statements. Other Business Development Activities Celerity Pharmaceuticals, LLC In September 2013, Baxter entered into an agreement with Celerity Pharmaceutical, LLC (Celerity) to develop certain acute care generic injectable premix and oncolytic molecules through regulatory approval. Baxter transferred its rights in these molecules to Celerity and Celerity assumed ownership and responsibility for development of the molecules. Baxter is obligated to purchase the individual product rights from Celerity if the products obtain regulatory approval. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, Baxter paid $72 million, $20 million and $23 million, respectively, to acquire the rights to various molecules. The payment in 2018 for one of the molecules was based on tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Full approval from FDA was received in the third quarter of 2018. Baxter capitalized the purchase prices as intangible assets and is amortizing the assets over their estimated useful lives of 12 years. As of December 31, 2018, Baxter’s contingent future payments total up to $163 million upon Celerity’s achievement of specified regulatory approvals. Other In addition to the significant arrangements described above, Baxter has entered into several other collaborative arrangements. Baxter could make additional payments of up to $34 million upon the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones, in addition to future payments related to contingent commercialization milestones, profit-sharing and royalties.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET	NOTE 6 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET Goodwill The following table is a summary of the activity in goodwill by segment. (in millions) Americas EMEA APAC Total December 31, 2016 $ 2,071 $ 329 $ 195 $ 2,595 Additions 242 38 23 $ 303 Currency translation and other adjustments 161 25 15 $ 201 December 31, 2017 $ 2,474 $ 392 $ 233 $ 3,099 Additions 16 17 — 33 Currency translation and other adjustments (139 ) (22 ) (13 ) (174 ) December 31, 2018 $ 2,351 $ 387 $ 220 $ 2,958 As of December 31, 2018, there were no reductions in goodwill relating to impairment losses. Other Intangible Assets, Net The following table is a summary of the company’s other intangible assets. (in millions) Developed technology, including patents Other amortized intangible assets Indefinite-lived intangible assets Total December 31, 2018 Gross other intangible assets $ 2,115 $ 451 $ 188 $ 2,754 Accumulated amortization (1,106 ) (250 ) — (1,356 ) Other intangible assets, net $ 1,009 $ 201 $ 188 $ 1,398 December 31, 2017 Gross other intangible assets $ 2,002 $ 435 $ 172 $ 2,609 Accumulated amortization (1,010 ) (225 ) — (1,235 ) Other intangible assets, net $ 992 $ 210 $ 172 $ 1,374 Intangible asset amortization expense was $169 million in 2018, $154 million in 2017, and $163 million in 2016. The anticipated annual amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets recorded as of December 31, 2018 is $172 million in 2019, $167 million in 2020, $161 million in 2021, $157 million in 2022 and $145 million in 2023. In 2016, the company recorded an impairment charge of $27 million related to an indefinite-lived intangible asset (acquired IPR&D) relating to its in-center hemodialysis program. The asset was written down to estimated fair value and recorded in R&D expenses. Additionally, in 2016 the company recorded an impairment charge of $51 million, of which $41 million was related to a developed technology asset, relating to the company’s synthetic bone repair products business which was acquired from ApaTech Limited in 2010. The assets of the business were written down to estimated fair value and the impairment charge was recorded in cost of sales.

INFUSION PUMP CHARGES

INFUSION PUMP CHARGES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
INFUSION PUMP CHARGES	NOTE 7 INFUSION PUMP CHARGES In 2017, the company recorded a charge of $22 million related to a second field corrective action with respect to the SIGMA Spectrum Infusion Pump, which is predominantly sold in the United States. In 2018, the company recorded a partial reversal of the reserve of $6 million. Remediation primarily includes inspection and repair charges as well as a temporary replacement pump in a limited number of cases. The charges included estimated cash costs associated with remediation efforts and the remaining liability was insignificant as of December 31, 2018. In 2014, the company recorded a charge of $93 million related to a field corrective action with respect to the SIGMA Spectrum Infusion Pump. FDA categorized the action as a Class 1 recall during the second quarter of 2014. Remediation primarily included software-related corrections and a replacement pump in a limited number of cases. In 2014, the company utilized $4 million of the established reserve. During 2015, the company refined its expectations relating to the costs associated with the remediation effort and recorded partial reversals of the cash and non-cash reserves totaling $26 million and $10 million, respectively. Additionally, the company utilized $13 million of the cash reserves during 2015. In 2016, the company recorded utilization of cash and non-cash reserves of $22 million and $3 million, respectively, as well as partial reversals of cash and non-cash reserves of $11 million and $1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the remediation efforts were substantially complete and the remaining costs and reserves were considered immaterial to the company.

BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION CHARGES

BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION CHARGES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION CHARGES	NOTE 8 BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION CHARGES Beginning in the second half of 2015, the company has initiated actions to transform the company’s cost structure and enhance operational efficiency. These efforts include restructuring the organization, optimizing the manufacturing footprint, R&D operations and supply chain network, employing disciplined cost management, and centralizing and streamlining certain support functions. Through December 31, 2018 the company incurred cumulative pre-tax costs of $796 million related to these actions. The costs consisted primarily of employee termination, implementation costs, and accelerated depreciation. The company expects to incur additional pre-tax cash costs of approximately $75 million and capital expenditures of $50 million through the completion of these initiatives. These costs will primarily include employee termination costs, implementation costs, and accelerated depreciation. In addition to the programs above, the company recorded additional net business optimization charges of $125 million in 2016. These charges primarily include employee termination costs, contract termination costs, asset impairments, and Gambro integration costs. Approximately 40% of these costs were non-cash. The company does not anticipate incurring any additional costs related to these 2016 programs in the future and these programs were substantially complete by the end of 2017. The company recorded the following charges related to business optimization programs in 2018, 2017, and 2016: years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Restructuring charges, net $ 117 $ 70 $ 285 Costs to implement business optimization programs 94 89 65 Gambro integration costs — — 26 Accelerated depreciation 9 10 33 Total business optimization charges $ 220 $ 169 $ 409 For segment reporting, business optimization charges are unallocated expenses. Included in the restructuring charges for 2018 were employee termination costs of $100 million, which primarily consisted of a global workforce reduction program. In addition, $7 million of asset impairment charges related to facility closure costs and $10 million of other exit costs were incurred. Included in the restructuring charges for 2017 were employee termination costs of $59 million, which primarily consisted of a global workforce reduction program. In addition, $6 million of asset impairment charges related to facility closure costs and $5 million of other exit costs were incurred. Included in the restructuring charges for 2016 were employee termination costs of $180 million, which primarily consisted of a global workforce reduction program and $27 million related to the impairment of acquired IPR&D as described in Note 6. Restructuring charges for 2016 also included $54 million for costs associated with the discontinuation of the VIVIA home hemodialysis development program. These costs consist of contract termination costs of $21 million, asset impairments of $31 million and other exit costs of $2 million. The company recorded the following components of restructuring costs in 2018, 2017 and 2016: 2018 (in millions) COGS SGA R&D Total Employee termination costs $ 38 $ 57 $ 21 $ 116 Contract termination and other costs 4 6 — 10 Asset impairments 1 6 — 7 Reserve adjustments Employee termination costs (8 ) (6 ) (2 ) (16 ) Total restructuring charges $ 35 $ 63 $ 19 $ 117 2017 (in millions) COGS SGA R&D Total Employee termination costs $ 31 $ 47 $ — $ 78 Contract termination and other costs — 5 — 5 Asset impairments 5 1 — 6 Reserve adjustments Employee termination costs (9 ) (8 ) (2 ) (19 ) Total restructuring charges $ 27 $ 45 $ (2 ) $ 70 2016 (in millions) COGS SGA R&D Total Employee termination costs $ 72 $ 109 $ 13 $ 194 Contract termination and other costs 9 5 13 27 Asset impairments 38 — 40 78 Reserve adjustments Employee termination costs (1 ) (11 ) (2 ) (14 ) Total restructuring charges $ 118 $ 103 $ 64 $ 285 Costs to implement business optimization programs in 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $94 million, $89 million and $65 million, respectively. These costs consisted primarily of external consulting and transition costs, including employee salary and related costs. The costs were included within cost of sales, marketing and administrative expense and R&D expense. Costs related to the integration of Gambro were included within marketing and administrative expense in 2016. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, the company recognized accelerated depreciation primarily associated with facilities to be closed of $9 million, $10 million and $33 million, respectively. The costs were recorded within cost of sales, marketing and administrative expense and R&D expense. The following table summarizes activity in the reserves related to the company’s business optimization initiatives. (in millions) Reserve at December 31, 2015 $ 116 2016 charges 221 Reserve adjustments (14 ) Utilization in 2016 (164 ) Currency translation 5 Reserve at December 31, 2016 164 2017 charges 83 Reserve adjustments (19 ) Utilization in 2017 (143 ) Currency translation 27 Reserve at December 31, 2017 112 2018 charges 126 Reserve adjustments (16 ) Utilization in 2018 (99 ) Currency translation (22 ) Reserve at December 31, 2018 $ 101 Reserve adjustments primarily relate to employee termination cost reserves established in prior periods. Substantially all of the company’s restructuring reserves as of December 31, 2018 relate to employee termination costs, with the remaining reserves attributable to contract termination costs. Of the $101 million liability, $90 million is included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities and $11 million is included within other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The reserves are expected to be substantially utilized by the end of 2019.

DEBT, CREDIT FACILITIES AND LEA

DEBT, CREDIT FACILITIES AND LEASE COMMITMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Credit Facilities And Lease Commitments [Abstract]
DEBT, CREDIT FACILITIES AND LEASE COMMITMENTS	NOTE 9 DEBT, CREDIT FACILITIES AND LEASE COMMITMENTS Debt Outstanding At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the company had the following debt outstanding: as of December 31 (in millions) Effective rate in 2018 2018 1 2017 1 Variable-rate loan due 2020 1.0 % $ 302 $ 300 1.7% notes due 2021 1.9 % 398 398 2.4% notes due 2022 3.7 % 202 206 1.3% notes due in 2025 1.5 % 683 714 2.6% notes due 2026 2.7 % 745 744 7.65% debentures due 2027 7.7 % 5 5 6.625% debentures due 2028 6.7 % 98 99 6.25% notes due 2037 6.3 % 265 265 3.65% notes due 2042 3.7 % 6 6 4.5% notes due 2043 4.5 % 255 255 3.5% notes due 2046 3.6 % 439 439 Other — 77 81 Total debt and capital lease obligations 3,475 3,512 Current portion (2 ) (3 ) Long-term portion $ 3,473 $ 3,509 1 Book values include any discounts, premiums and adjustments related to hedging instruments. Significant Debt Issuances In May 2017, Baxter issued €600 million of senior notes at a fixed coupon rate of 1.30% due in May 2025. The company has designated this debt as a nonderivative net investment hedge of its European operations for accounting purposes. Debt Extinguishments In September 2016, Baxter redeemed an aggregate of approximately $1 billion in principal amount of its 1.850% Senior Notes due 2017, 1.850% Senior Notes due 2018, 5.375% Senior Notes due 2018, 4.500% Senior Notes due 2019, 4.250% Senior Notes due 2020 and 3.200% Senior Notes due 2023. Baxter paid approximately $1 billion, including accrued and unpaid interest and tender premium, to redeem such notes. As a result of the debt redemptions, the company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt in 2016 of approximately $52 million, which is included in other (income) expense, net. On January 27, 2016, Baxter exchanged Retained Shares for the extinguishment of $1.45 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding under its $1.8 billion U.S. dollar-denominated revolving credit facility. This exchange extinguished the indebtedness under the facility, which was terminated in connection with such debt-for-equity exchange. There were no material prepayment penalties or breakage costs associated with the termination of the facility. Baxter recognized a net realized gain of $1.25 billion related to the Retained Shares exchanged, which is included in other (income) expense, net in 2016. On March 16, 2016, the company exchanged Retained Shares for the extinguishment of approximately $2.2 billion in principal amount of its 0.950% Notes due May 2016, 5.900% Notes due August 2016, 1.850% Notes due January 2017, 5.375% Notes due May 2018, 1.850% Notes due June 2018, 4.500% Notes due August 2019 and 4.250% Notes due February 2020 purchased by certain third party purchasers in previously announced debt tender offers. As a result, the company recognized a net loss on extinguishment of debt totaling $101 million and a net realized gain of $2.0 billion on the Retained Shares exchanged, which are included in other (income) expense, net in 2016. Credit Facilities The company’s U.S. dollar-denominated revolving credit facility and Euro-denominated senior revolving credit facility have a maximum capacity of $1.5 billion and approximately €200 million, respectively, and each matures in 2020. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no borrowings outstanding under the company’s revolving credit facilities. The facilities enable the company to borrow funds on an unsecured basis at variable interest rates, and contain various covenants, including a maximum net leverage ratio and maximum interest coverage ratio. Fees under the credit facilities are 0.10% annually as of December 31, 2018 and are based on the company’s credit ratings and the total capacity of the facility. The company also maintains other credit arrangements, which totaled $206 million at December 31, 2018, and $134 million at December 31, 2017. There were no borrowings outstanding under these arrangements at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2018, the company was in compliance with the financial covenants in these agreements. The non-performance of any financial institution supporting any of the credit facilities would reduce the maximum capacity of these facilities by each institution’s respective commitment Leases The company leases certain facilities and equipment under capital and operating leases expiring at various dates. The leases generally provide for the company to pay taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating costs of the leased property. Most of the operating leases contain renewal options. For the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 operating lease rent expense was $153 million, $154 million, and $174 million, respectively. Future Minimum Lease Payments and Debt Maturities as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) Operating leases Debt and capital leases 2019 $ 122 $ 2 2020 93 304 2021 86 402 2022 71 209 2023 64 2 Thereafter 210 2,576 Total obligations and commitments 646 3,495 Discounts, premiums, and adjustments relating to hedging instruments — (20 ) Total debt and lease obligations $ 646 $ 3,475

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDG

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITY	NOTE 10 DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITY Foreign Currency and Interest Rate Risk Management The company operates on a global basis and is exposed to the risk that its earnings, cash flows and equity could be adversely impacted by fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates. The company’s hedging policy attempts to manage these risks to an acceptable level based on the company’s judgment of the appropriate trade-off between risk, opportunity and costs. The company is primarily exposed to foreign exchange risk with respect to recognized assets and liabilities, forecasted transactions and net assets denominated in the Euro, British Pound, Chinese Yuan, Korean Won, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen, Colombian Peso, Brazilian Real, Mexican Peso and Swedish Krona. The company manages its foreign currency exposures on a consolidated basis, which allows the company to net exposures and take advantage of any natural offsets. In addition, the company uses derivative and nonderivative instruments to further reduce the net exposure to foreign exchange risk. Gains and losses on hedging instruments offset losses and gains on the hedged transactions and reduce the earnings and equity volatility resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. Financial market and currency volatility may limit the company’s ability to cost-effectively hedge these exposures. The company is also exposed to the risk that its earnings and cash flows could be adversely impacted by fluctuations in interest rates. The company’s policy is to manage interest costs using a mix of fixed- and floating-rate debt that the company believes is appropriate. To manage this mix in a cost-efficient manner, the company periodically enters into interest rate swaps in which the company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional amount. The company does not hold any instruments for trading purposes and none of the company’s outstanding derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features. Cash Flow Hedges The company may use options, including collars and purchased options, forwards and cross-currency swaps to hedge the foreign exchange risk to earnings relating to forecasted transactions and recognized assets and liabilities. The company periodically uses forward-starting interest rate swaps and treasury rate locks to hedge the risk to earnings associated with movements in interest rates relating to anticipated issuances of debt. Certain other firm commitments and forecasted transactions are also periodically hedged. Cash flow hedges primarily relate to forecasted intercompany sales denominated in foreign currencies and anticipated issuances of debt. The notional amounts of foreign exchange contracts were $775 million and $660 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The total notional amount of interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges was $150 million as of December 31, 2018. There were no outstanding interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2017. The maximum term over which the company has cash flow hedge contracts in place related to forecasted transactions at December 31, 2018 is 15 months for foreign exchange contracts and 30 years for interest rate contracts. Fair Value Hedges The company uses interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its fixed-rate debt into variable-rate debt. These instruments hedge the company’s earnings from changes in the fair value of debt due to fluctuations in the designated benchmark interest rate. There were no outstanding interest rate contracts designated as fair value hedges as of December 31, 2018. The total notional amount of interest rate contracts designated as fair value hedges was $200 million as of December 31, 2017. Net Investment Hedges In May 2017, the company issued €600 million of senior notes due May 2025. The company has designated this debt as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in its European operations and, as a result, mark to spot rate adjustments of the outstanding debt balances have been and will be recorded as a component of AOCI. As of December 31, 2018, the company had an accumulated pre-tax unrealized translation loss in AOCI of $47 million related to the Euro-denominated senior notes. Dedesignations If it is determined that a derivative or nonderivative hedging instrument is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. If the company removes the cash flow hedge designation because the hedged forecasted transactions are no longer probable of occurring, any gains or losses are immediately reclassified from AOCI to earnings. Gains or losses relating to terminations of effective cash flow hedges in which the forecasted transactions are still probable of occurring are deferred and recognized consistent with the loss or income recognition of the underlying hedged items. There were no hedge dedesignations in 2018, 2017 or 2016 resulting from changes in the company’s assessment of the probability that the hedged forecasted transactions would occur. If the company terminates a fair value hedge, an amount equal to the cumulative fair value adjustment to the hedged items at the date of termination is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedged item. In 2018, the company terminated an interest rate fair value hedge and the cumulative fair value adjustment to the hedged item was insignificant. There were no fair value hedges terminated in 2017. In 2016, the company terminated a total notional value of $765 million of interest rate contracts in connection with the March 2016 debt tender offers, resulting in a $34 million reduction to the debt extinguishment loss. If the company terminates a net investment hedge, any gain or loss recognized in AOCI is not reclassified to earnings until the company sells, liquidates, or deconsolidates the foreign investments that were being hedged. Undesignated Derivative Instruments The company uses forward contracts to hedge earnings from the effects of foreign exchange relating to certain of the company’s intercompany and third-party receivables and payables denominated in a foreign currency. These derivative instruments are generally not formally designated as hedges and the terms of these instruments generally do not exceed one month. The total notional amount of undesignated derivative instruments was $485 million as of December 31, 2018 and $885 million as of December 31, 2017. Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments The following table summarizes the income statement locations and gains and losses on the company’s derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. Gain (loss) recognized in OCI Location of (loss) in Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 income statement 2018 2017 2016 Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ (3 ) $ (3 ) $ — Other (income) expense, net $ — $ — $ 9 Foreign exchange contracts 3 (24 ) 1 Cost of sales (12 ) (8 ) (3 ) Net investment hedge 32 (79 ) — Other (income) expense, net — — — Total $ 32 $ (106 ) $ 1 $ (12 ) $ (8 ) $ 6 Location of gain (loss) in income statement Gain (loss) recognized in income (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Fair value hedges Interest rate contracts Net interest expense $ (4 ) $ (3 ) $ 9 Undesignated derivative instruments Foreign exchange contracts Other (income) expense, net $ (6 ) $ (20 ) $ 4 For the company’s fair value hedges, equal and offsetting gains of $4 million and $3 million, and losses of $9 million were recognized in net interest expense in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as adjustments to the underlying hedged items, fixed-rate debt. Ineffectiveness related to the company’s cash flow and fair value hedges for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, was not material. The following table summarizes net-of-tax activity in AOCI, a component of stockholders’ equity, related to the company’s cash flow hedges. as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance at beginning of year $ (10 ) $ 3 $ 7 (Loss) gain in fair value of derivatives during the year (1 ) (18 ) 1 Amount reclassified to earnings during the year 10 5 (5 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance at end of year (1 ) $ (10 ) $ 3 As of December 31, 2018, $3 million of deferred, net after-tax gains on derivative instruments included in AOCI are expected to be recognized in earnings during the next 12 months, coinciding with when the hedged items are expected to impact earnings. Fair Values of Derivative Instruments The following table summarizes the classification and fair value amounts of derivative instruments reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. Derivatives in asset positions Derivatives in liability positions (in millions) Balance sheet location Fair value Balance sheet location Fair value Derivative instruments designated as hedges Interest rate contracts Other long-term assets — Other long-term liabilities 3 Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other 22 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1 Foreign exchange contracts Other 1 Other long-term liabilities — Total derivative instruments designated as hedges $ 23 $ 4 Undesignated derivative instruments Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other $ — Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1 Total derivative instruments $ 23 $ 5 The following table summarizes the classification and fair value amounts of derivative instruments reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. Derivatives in asset positions Derivatives in liability positions (in millions) Balance sheet location Fair value Balance sheet location Fair value Derivative instruments designated as hedges Interest rate contracts Other long-term assets $ 4 Other long-term liabilities $ — Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other 14 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3 Total derivative instruments designated as hedges $ 18 $ 3 Undesignated derivative instruments Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other $ 1 Accounts payable and $ 1 Total derivative instruments $ 19 $ 4 While the company’s derivatives are all subject to master netting arrangements, the company presents its assets and liabilities related to derivative instruments on a gross basis within the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the company is not required to post collateral for any of its outstanding derivatives. The following table provides information on the company’s derivative positions as if they were presented on a net basis, allowing for the right of offset by counterparty. December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in millions) Asset Liability Asset Liability Gross amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet $ 23 $ 5 $ 19 $ 4 Gross amount subject to offset in master netting arrangements not offset in the consolidated balance sheet (5 ) (5 ) (4 ) (4 ) Total $ 18 $ — $ 15 $ —

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELAT

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	NOTE 11 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Receivables For trade receivables originated in Japan, the company has entered into agreements with financial institutions in which the entire interest in and ownership of the receivable is sold. The company continues to service the receivables in this arrangement. Servicing assets or liabilities are not recognized because the company receives adequate compensation to service the sold receivables. The Japanese arrangement includes limited recourse provisions, which are not material. The following is a summary of the activity relating to the arrangement. as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Sold receivables at beginning of year $ 71 $ 68 $ 81 Proceeds from sales of receivables 267 270 348 Cash collections (remitted to the owners of the receivables) (270 ) (270 ) (367 ) Effect of currency exchange rate changes (1 ) 3 6 Sold receivables at end of year $ 67 $ 71 $ 68 The net losses relating to the sales of receivables were immaterial for each year. Concentrations of Credit Risk The company invests excess cash in certificates of deposit or money market funds and diversifies the concentration of cash among different financial institutions. With respect to financial instruments, where appropriate, the company has diversified its selection of counterparties, and has arranged collateralization and master-netting agreements to minimize the risk of loss. The company continues to do business with foreign governments in certain countries, including Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, which have experienced deterioration in credit and economic conditions. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the company’s net accounts receivable from the public sector in Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy totaled $130 million and $149 million, respectively. Global economic conditions and liquidity issues in certain countries have resulted, and may continue to result, in delays in the collection of receivables and credit losses. Global economic conditions, governmental actions and customer-specific factors may require the company to re-evaluate the collectability of its receivables and the company could potentially incur additional credit losses. These conditions may also impact the stability of the Euro. Fair Value Measurements The fair value hierarchy under the accounting standard for fair value measurements consists of the following three levels: • Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets that the company has the ability to access for identical assets or liabilities; • Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in the market; and • Level 3 — Valuations using significant inputs that are unobservable in the market and include the use of judgment by the company’s management about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The following table summarizes the bases used to measure financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets. Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Assets Foreign exchange contracts $ 23 $ — $ 23 $ — Marketable equity securities 3 3 — — Total assets $ 26 $ 3 $ 23 $ — Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 2 $ — $ 2 $ — Interest rate contracts 3 — 3 — Contingent payments related to acquisitions 32 — — 32 Total liabilities $ 37 $ — $ 5 $ 32 Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2017 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Assets Foreign exchange contracts $ 15 $ — $ 15 $ — Interest rate contracts 4 — 4 — Marketable equity securities 8 8 — — Total assets $ 27 $ 8 $ 19 $ — Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ — Contingent payments related to acquisitions 9 — — 9 Total liabilities $ 13 $ — $ 4 $ 9 As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, cash and cash equivalents of $1.8 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively, included money market funds of approximately $0.2 billion and $0.7 billion, respectively, which are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, the fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held, without consideration of transaction costs. The majority of the derivatives entered into by the company are valued using internal valuation techniques as no quoted market prices exist for such instruments. The principal techniques used to value these instruments are discounted cash flow and Black-Scholes models. The key inputs are considered observable and vary depending on the type of derivative, and include contractual terms, interest rate yield curves, foreign exchange rates and volatility. Contingent payments related to acquisitions consist of milestone payments and sales-based payments, and are valued using discounted cash flow techniques. The fair value of milestone payments reflects management’s expectations of probability of payment, and increases as the probability of payment increases or expectation of timing of payments is accelerated. The fair value of sales-based payments is based upon probability-weighted future revenue estimates, and increases as revenue estimates increase, probability weighting of higher revenue scenarios increase or expectation of timing of payment is accelerated. The change in the liability for contingent payments related to Baxter’s acquisitions, which use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in the fair value measurement, were primarily driven by new contingent liabilities recognized as a result of the RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK acquisitions of approximately $21 million in 2018. The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which consist of contingent payments related to acquisitions. (in millions) Contingent payments Fair value as of December 31, 2016 $ 19 Additions — Payments (9 ) Net gains recognized in earnings (1 ) Fair value as of December 31, 2017 9 Additions 24 Payments (1 ) Net gains recognized in earnings — Fair value as of December 31, 2018 $ 32 Equity investments not measured at fair value are comprised of other equity investments without readily determinable fair values and were $41 million and $43 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These amounts are included in Other assets. In 2017, the company recorded $8 million of other-than-temporary impairment charges within other (income) expense, net related to the company’s investments. Book Values and Fair Values of Financial Instruments In addition to the financial instruments that the company is required to recognize at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, the company has certain financial instruments that are recognized at historical cost or some basis other than fair value. For these financial instruments, the following table provides the values recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and the estimated fair values. Book values Fair values as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 2 $ 3 $ 2 $ 3 Long-term debt and lease obligations 3,473 3,509 3,460 3,595 The following table summarizes the level within the fair value hierarchy for measurements of the estimated fair values of the financial instruments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 2 $ — $ 2 $ — Long-term debt and lease obligations 3,460 — 3,460 — Total liabilities $ 3,462 $ — $ 3,462 $ — Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2017 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 3 $ — $ 3 $ — Long-term debt and lease obligations 3,595 — 3,595 — Total liabilities $ 3,598 $ — $ 3,598 $ — The estimated fair values of current and long-term debt were computed by multiplying price by the notional amount of the respective debt instrument. Price is calculated using the stated terms of the respective debt instrument and yield curves commensurate with the company’s credit risk. The carrying values of other financial instruments approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of most of these assets and liabilities.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 12 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Collaborative and Other Arrangements Refer to Note 5 for information regarding the company’s unfunded contingent payments associated with collaborative and other arrangements. Indemnifications During the normal course of business, Baxter makes indemnities, commitments and guarantees pursuant to which the company may be required to make payments related to specific transactions. Indemnifications include: (i) intellectual property indemnities to customers in connection with the use, sales or license of products and services; (ii) indemnities to customers in connection with losses incurred while performing services on their premises; (iii) indemnities to vendors and service providers pertaining to claims based on negligence or willful misconduct; (iv) indemnities involving the representations and warranties in certain contracts; (v) contractual indemnities related to the separation and distribution as set forth in certain of the agreements entered into in connection with such transactions (including the separation and distribution agreement and the tax matters agreement with Baxalta); and (vi) contractual indemnities for its directors and certain of its executive officers for services provided to or at the request of Baxter. In addition, under Baxter’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and consistent with Delaware General Corporation Law, the company has agreed to indemnify its directors and officers for certain losses and expenses upon the occurrence of certain prescribed events. The majority of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees do not provide for any limitation on the maximum potential for future payments that the company could be obligated to make. To help address some of these risks, the company maintains various insurance coverages. Based on historical experience and evaluation of the agreements, the company does not believe that any significant payments related to its indemnities will occur, and therefore the company has not recorded any associated liabilities. Legal Contingencies Refer to Note 17 for a discussion of the company’s legal contingencies.

STOCKHOLDERS_ EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	NOTE 13 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Stock-Based Compensation The company’s stock-based compensation generally includes stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance share units (PSUs) and purchases under the company’s employee stock purchase plan. Shares issued relating to the company’s stock-based plans are generally issued out of treasury stock. As of December 31, 2018, approximately 30 million authorized shares are available for future awards under the company’s stock-based compensation plans. Stock Compensation Expense Stock compensation expense was $115 million, $107 million and $115 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The related tax benefit recognized was $61 million in 2018, $87 million in 2017 and $34 million in 2016. Included in the benefit in 2018 and 2017 were realized excess tax benefits for stock-based compensation of $40 million and $56 million, respectively. Stock compensation expense is recorded at the corporate level and is not allocated to the segments. Approximately 80% of stock compensation expense is classified in marketing and administrative expenses, with the remainder classified in cost of sales and R&D expenses. Costs capitalized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were not material. Stock compensation expense is based on awards expected to vest, and therefore has been reduced by estimated forfeitures. Stock Options Stock options are granted to employees and non-employee directors with exercise prices equal to 100% of the market value on the date of grant. Stock options granted to employees generally vest in one-third increments over a three-year period. Stock options granted to non-employee directors generally vest immediately on the grant date and are issued with a six-month claw-back provision. Stock options typically have a contractual term of 10 years. The grant-date fair value, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the substantive vesting period. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The weighted-average assumptions used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted during each year, along with the weighted-average grant-date fair values, were as follows: years ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Expected volatility 18 % 19 % 20 % Expected life (in years) 5.5 5.5 5.5 Risk-free interest rate 2.6 % 2.1 % 1.4 % Dividend yield 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.2 % Fair value per stock option $ 13 $ 10 $ 7 The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2018. (options and aggregate intrinsic values in thousands) Options Weighted- average exercise price Weighted- average remaining contractual term (in years) Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding as of January 1, 2018 28,208 $ 39.25 Granted 4,062 $ 66.49 Exercised (5,831 ) $ 36.36 Forfeited (999 ) $ 53.25 Expired (126 ) $ 33.98 Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 25,314 $ 43.76 5.8 $ 560,657 Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2018 24,951 $ 43.51 5.8 $ 559,192 Exercisable as of December 31, 2018 16,585 $ 37.68 4.6 $ 466,851 The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the exercise price and the company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the year. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $222 million, $203 million and $162 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, $54 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years. RSUs RSUs are granted to employees and non-employee directors. RSUs granted to employees generally vest in one-third increments over a three-year period. RSUs granted to non-employee directors generally vest immediately on the grant date and are issued with a six-month claw-back provision. The grant-date fair value, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the substantive vesting period. The fair value of RSUs is determined based on the number of shares granted and the closing price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant. The following table summarizes nonvested RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2018. (share units in thousands) Share units Weighted- average grant-date fair value Nonvested RSUs as of January 1, 2018 2,201 $ 45.65 Granted 629 $ 67.11 Vested (1,025 ) $ 40.43 Forfeited (194 ) $ 53.31 Nonvested RSUs as of December 31, 2018 1,611 $ 56.45 As of December 31, 2018, $54 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $67.11, $55.11 and $40.32, respectively. The fair value of RSUs vested in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $69 million, $88 million and $50 million, respectively. PSUs The company’s annual equity awards stock compensation program for senior management includes the issuance of PSUs based on adjusted operating margin as well as stock performance relative to the company’s peer group. Fifty percent of the PSUs granted in 2015 were based on return on invested capital (ROIC) instead of adjusted operating margin. The vesting condition for adjusted operating margin or ROIC PSUs is set at the beginning of the year for each tranche of the award during the three-year service period. Compensation cost for the adjusted operating margin or ROIC PSUs is measured based on the fair value of the awards on the date that the specific vesting terms for each tranche of the award are established. The fair value of the awards is determined based on the quoted price of the company’s stock on the grant date for each tranche of the award. The compensation cost for adjusted operating margin or ROIC PSUs is adjusted at each reporting date to reflect the estimated probability of achieving the vesting condition. The fair value for PSUs based on stock performance relative to the company’s peer group is determined using a Monte Carlo model. The assumptions used in estimating the fair value of these PSUs granted during the period, along with the grant-date fair values, were as follows: years ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Baxter volatility 19% 19% 20% Peer group volatility 16%-53% 16%-54% 17%-51% Correlation of returns 0.16-0.61 0.19-0.58 0.22-0.73 Risk-free interest rate 2.3% 1.6% 1.0% Fair value per PSU $ 90 $ 69 $ 51 Unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested PSUs of $22 million at December 31, 2018 is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years. The following table summarizes nonvested PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2018. (share units in thousands) Share units Weighted- average grant-date fair value Nonvested PSUs as of January 1, 2018 651 $ 57.08 Granted 340 $ 76.51 Vested - $ - Forfeited (78 ) $ 62.34 Nonvested PSUs as of December 31, 2018 913 $ 63.88 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Nearly all employees are eligible to participate in the company’s employee stock purchase plan. The employee purchase price is 85% of the closing market price on the purchase date. The Baxter International Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides for 10 million shares of common stock available for issuance to eligible participants, of which approximately three million shares were available for future purchases as of December 31, 2018. During 2018, 2017, and 2016, the company issued approximately 0.8 million, 0.8 million and 1.0 million shares, respectively, under the employee stock purchase plan. The number of shares under subscription at December 31, 2018 totaled approximately 1 million. Cash Dividends Total cash dividends declared per common share for 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $0.73, $0.61 and $0.51, respectively. A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share ($0.64 on an annualized basis) was declared in February 2018 and was paid in April 2018. Quarterly dividends of $0.19 per share ($0.76 on an annualized basis) were declared in May and July of 2018 and were paid in July and October of 2018, respectively. Baxter’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share in November of 2018, which was paid in January of 2019. Stock Repurchase Programs As authorized by the Board of Directors, the company repurchases its stock depending on the company’s cash flows, net debt level and market conditions. The company repurchased 35.8 million shares for $2.5 billion in cash in 2018, 9.2 million shares for $564 million in cash in 2017 and 6.3 million shares for $292 million in cash in 2016. In July 2012, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2 billion of the company’s common stock. The Board of Directors increased this authority by an additional $1.5 billion in each of November 2016 and February 2018 and by an additional $2.0 billion in November 2018. $2.1 billion of purchase authority remained available as of December 31, 2018. Accelerated Share Repurchase In December 2018, the company entered into a $300 million accelerated share repurchase agreement (ASR Agreement) with an investment bank. The company funded the ASR Agreement with available cash. The ASR Agreement was executed pursuant to the 2012 Repurchase Authorization described above. Under the ASR Agreement, 3.6 million shares were received by the company upon execution. At final settlement of the ASR Agreement, which is expected to occur, at the latest, during the second quarter of 2019, the investment bank may be required to deliver additional shares of common stock to the company or the company may be required to deliver shares of its common stock to the investment bank, with the number of shares to be delivered based on the volume-weighted average price of the company’s common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement.

RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT PR

RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS	NOTE 14 RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS The company sponsors a number of qualified and nonqualified pension plans for eligible employees. The company also sponsors certain unfunded contributory healthcare and life insurance benefits for substantially all domestic retired employees. Newly hired employees in the United States and Puerto Rico are not eligible to participate in the pension plans but receive a higher level of company contributions in the defined contribution plans. In 2017, the company made a $115 million voluntary cash contribution to the qualified U.S. pension plan. Reconciliation of Pension and OPEB Plan Obligations, Assets and Funded Status The benefit plan information in the table below pertains to all of the company’s pension and OPEB plans, both in the United States and in other countries. Pension benefits OPEB as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Benefit obligations Beginning of period $ 6,159 $ 5,717 $ 235 $ 243 Service cost 87 91 1 1 Interest cost 178 180 7 7 Participant contributions 5 5 — — Actuarial (gain) loss (431 ) 333 (14 ) 2 Benefit payments (259 ) (251 ) (18 ) (18 ) Settlements (6 ) (9 ) — — Curtailment (57 ) — — — Acquisitions — 2 — — Plan amendments — (7 ) — — Foreign exchange and other (53 ) 98 — — End of period 5,623 6,159 211 235 Fair value of plan assets Beginning of period 5,248 4,501 — — Actual return on plan assets (237 ) 708 — — Employer contributions 51 242 18 18 Participant contributions 5 5 — — Benefit payments (259 ) (251 ) (18 ) (18 ) Settlements (6 ) (9 ) — — Foreign exchange and other (33 ) 52 — — End of period 4,769 5,248 — — Funded status at December 31 $ (854 ) $ (911 ) $ (211 ) $ (235 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets Noncurrent asset $ 59 $ 65 $ — $ — Current liability (25 ) (24 ) (20 ) (19 ) Noncurrent liability (888 ) (952 ) (191 ) (216 ) Net liability recognized at December 31 $ (854 ) $ (911 ) $ (211 ) $ (235 ) The pension obligation information in the table above represents the projected benefit obligation (PBO). The PBO incorporates assumptions relating to future compensation levels. The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) is the same as the PBO except that it includes no assumptions relating to future compensation levels. The ABO for all of the company’s pension plans was $5.4 billion and $5.9 billion at the 2018 and 2017 measurement dates, respectively. The information in the funded status table above represents the totals for all of the company’s pension plans. The following table is information relating to the individual plans in the funded status table above that have an ABO in excess of plan assets. as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 ABO $ 4,973 $ 5,398 Fair value of plan assets 4,244 4,674 The following table is information relating to the individual plans in the funded status table above that have a PBO in excess of plan assets (many of which also have an ABO in excess of assets, and are therefore also included in the table directly above). as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 PBO $ 5,375 $ 5,875 Fair value of plan assets 4,461 4,899 Expected Net Pension and OPEB Plan Payments for the Next 10 Years (in millions) Pension benefits OPEB 2019 $ 259 $ 20 2020 268 18 2021 281 18 2022 291 17 2023 302 16 2024 through 2028 1,624 71 Total expected net benefit payments for next 10 years $ 3,025 $ 160 The expected net benefit payments above reflect the company’s share of the total net benefits expected to be paid from the plans’ assets (for funded plans) or from the company’s assets (for unfunded plans). The federal subsidies relating to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act are not expected to be significant. Amounts Recognized in AOCI The pension and OPEB plans’ gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition assets or obligations not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost are recognized on a net-of-tax basis in AOCI and will be amortized from AOCI to net periodic benefit cost in the future. The company utilizes the average future working lifetime as the amortization period for prior service. The following table is a summary of the pre-tax losses included in AOCI at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. (in millions) Pension benefits OPEB Actuarial loss (gain) $ 1,604 $ (79 ) Prior service credit and transition obligation (10 ) (74 ) Total pre-tax loss recognized in AOCI at December 31, 2018 $ 1,594 $ (153 ) Actuarial loss (gain) $ 1,660 $ (76 ) Prior service credit and transition obligation (12 ) (88 ) Total pre-tax loss (gain) recognized in AOCI at December 31, 2017 $ 1,648 $ (164 ) Refer to Note 15 for the net-of-tax balances included in AOCI as of each of the year-end dates. The following table is a summary of the net-of-tax amounts recorded in OCI relating to pension and OPEB plans. years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($3) in 2018, $16 in 2017 and ($72) in 2016 $ (26 ) $ 50 $ (191 ) Amortization of loss to earnings, net of tax benefit of $12 in 2018, $46 in 2017 and $36 in 2016 58 91 94 Pension and other employee benefits (loss) gain $ 32 $ 141 $ (97 ) In 2018, 2017 and 2016, OCI activity for pension and OPEB plans was primarily related to actuarial gains and losses. Amounts Expected to be Amortized from AOCI to Net Periodic Benefit Cost in 2019 With respect to the AOCI balance at December 31, 2018, the following table is a summary of the pre-tax amounts expected to be amortized to net periodic benefit cost in 2019. (in millions) Pension benefits OPEB Actuarial loss/(gain) $ 63 $ (12 ) Prior service credit and transition obligation (1 ) (15 ) Total pre-tax amount expected to be amortized from AOCI to net pension and OPEB cost in 2019 $ 62 $ (27 ) Net Periodic Benefit Cost – Continuing Operations years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Pension benefits Service cost $ 87 $ 91 $ 93 Interest cost 178 180 183 Expected return on plan assets (304 ) (291 ) (298 ) Amortization of net losses and other deferred amounts 95 163 149 Other 1 — 2 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 57 $ 143 $ 129 OPEB Service cost $ 1 $ 1 $ 2 Interest cost 7 7 8 Amortization of net loss and prior service credit (25 ) (26 ) (19 ) Curtailment — — (4 ) Net periodic OPEB cost $ (17 ) $ (18 ) $ (13 ) Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining Benefit Obligations at the Measurement Date Pension benefits OPEB 2018 2017 2018 2017 Discount rate U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 4.31 % 3.62 % 4.20 % 3.51 % International plans 2.02 % 2.02 % n/a n/a Rate of compensation increase U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 3.66 % 3.65 % n/a n/a International plans 3.08 % 3.05 % n/a n/a Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost n/a n/a 7.00 % 6.25 % Rate decreased to n/a n/a 5.00 % 5.00 % by the year ended n/a n/a 2027 2023 The assumptions above, which were used in calculating the December 31, 2018 measurement date benefit obligations, will be used in the calculation of net periodic benefit cost in 2019. Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining Net Periodic Benefit Cost Pension benefits OPEB 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 Discount rate U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 3.60 % 4.09 % 4.36 % 3.51 % 3.89 % 4.12 % International plans 2.02 % 2.03 % 2.60 % n/a n/a n/a Expected return on plan assets U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 6.25 % 6.50 % 7.00 % n/a n/a n/a International plans 5.58 % 5.77 % 6.07 % n/a n/a n/a Rate of compensation increase U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 3.42 % 3.75 % 3.75 % n/a n/a n/a International plans 3.05 % 3.11 % 3.37 % n/a n/a n/a Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost n/a n/a n/a 7.00 % 6.25 % 6.50 % Rate decreased to n/a n/a n/a 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % by the year ended n/a n/a n/a 2027 2023 2022 The company establishes the expected return on plan assets assumption primarily based on a review of historical compound average asset returns, both company-specific and relating to the broad market (based on the company’s asset allocation), as well as an analysis of current market and economic information and future expectations. The company plans to use a 6.25% assumption for its U.S. and Puerto Rico plans for 2019. Effect of a One-Percent Change in Assumed Healthcare Cost Trend Rate on the OPEB Plan The effect of a one-percent change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate on the service and interest cost components of OPEB cost as well as the OPEB obligation were not significant for 2018 or 2017, respectively. Pension Plan Assets An investment committee of members of senior management is responsible for supervising, monitoring and evaluating the invested assets of the company’s funded pension plans. The investment committee, which meets at least quarterly, abides by documented policies and procedures relating to investment goals, targeted asset allocations, risk management practices, allowable and prohibited investment holdings, diversification, use of derivatives, the relationship between plan assets and benefit obligations, and other relevant factors and considerations. The investment committee’s policies and procedures include the following: • Ability to pay all benefits when due; • Targeted long-term performance expectations relative to applicable market indices, such as Russell, MSCI EAFE, and other indices; • Targeted asset allocation percentage ranges (summarized below), and periodic reviews of these allocations; • Diversification of assets among third-party investment managers, and by geography, industry, stage of business cycle and other measures; • Specified investment holding and transaction prohibitions (for example, private placements or other restricted securities, securities that are not traded in a sufficiently active market, short sales, certain derivatives, commodities and margin transactions); • Specified portfolio percentage limits on holdings in a single corporate or other entity (generally 5% at time of purchase, except for holdings in U.S. government or agency securities); • Specified average credit quality for the fixed-income securities portfolio (at least A- by Standard & Poor’s or A3 by Moody’s); • Specified portfolio percentage limits on foreign holdings; and • Periodic monitoring of investment manager performance and adherence to the investment committee’s policies. Plan assets are invested using a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equity securities, debt securities and other investments are used to preserve asset values, diversify risk and exceed the planned benchmark investment return. Investment strategies and asset allocations are based on consideration of plan liabilities, the plans’ funded status and other factors, such as the plans’ demographics and liability durations. Investment performance is reviewed by the investment committee on a quarterly basis and asset allocations are reviewed at least annually. Plan assets are managed in a balanced portfolio comprised of two major components: return-seeking investments and liability hedging investments. The target allocations for plan assets are 53% in return-seeking investments and 47% in liability hedging investments and other holdings. The documented policy includes an allocation range based on each individual investment type within the major components that allows for a variance from the target allocations of approximately two to five percentage points depending on the investment type. Return-seeking investments primarily include common stock of U.S. and international companies, common/collective trust funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, and partnership investments. Liability hedging investments and other holdings primarily include cash, money market funds with an original maturity of three months or less, U.S. and foreign government and governmental agency issues, corporate bonds, municipal securities, derivative contracts and asset-backed securities. While the investment committee provides oversight over plan assets for U.S. and international plans, the summary above is specific to the plans in the United States. The plan assets for international plans are managed and allocated by the entities in each country, with input and oversight provided by the investment committee. The plan assets for the U.S. and international plans are included in the table below. The following tables summarize the bases used to measure the pension plan assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance at December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Measured at NAV Assets Fixed income securities Cash and cash equivalents $ 144 $ 21 $ 123 $ — $ — U.S. government and government agency issues 735 — 735 — — Corporate bonds 1,126 16 1,110 — — Equity securities Common stock: Large cap 541 541 — — — Mid cap 298 298 — — — Small cap 91 91 — — — Total common stock 930 930 — — — Mutual funds 353 134 219 — — Common/collective trust funds 919 — 209 — 710 Partnership investments 390 — — — 390 Other holdings 172 11 151 10 — Collateral held on loaned securities 196 — 196 — — Liabilities Collateral to be paid on loaned securities (196 ) (34 ) (162 ) — — Fair value of pension plan assets $ 4,769 $ 1,078 $ 2,581 $ 10 $ 1,100 Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Measured at NAV Assets Fixed income securities Cash and cash equivalents $ 230 $ 12 $ 218 $ — $ — U.S. government and government agency issues 641 — 641 — — Corporate bonds 1,052 16 1,036 — — Equity securities Common stock: Large cap 711 711 — — — Mid cap 406 406 — — — Small cap 89 89 — — — Total common stock 1,206 1,206 — — — Mutual funds 390 144 246 — — Common/collective trust funds 1,174 — 217 8 949 Partnership investments 413 — — — 413 Other holdings 142 10 122 10 — Collateral held on loaned securities 193 — 193 — — Liabilities Collateral to be paid on loaned securities (193 ) (53 ) (140 ) — — Fair value of pension plan assets $ 5,248 $ 1,335 $ 2,533 $ 18 $ 1,362 The following table is a reconciliation of changes in fair value measurements that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). (in millions) Total Common/collective trust funds Other holdings Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 16 $ 6 $ 10 Actual return on plan assets still held at year end 2 2 — Balance at December 31, 2017 18 8 10 Transfers out (8 ) (8 ) — Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 10 $ - $ 10 The assets and liabilities of the company’s pension plans are valued using the following valuation methods: Investment category Valuation methodology Cash and cash equivalents These largely consist of a short-term investment fund, U.S. dollars and foreign currency. The fair value of the short-term investment fund is based on the net asset value U.S. government and government agency issues Values are based on reputable pricing vendors, who typically use pricing matrices or models that use observable inputs Corporate bonds Values are based on reputable pricing vendors, who typically use pricing matrices or models that use observable inputs Common stock Values are based on the closing prices on the valuation date in an active market on national and international stock exchanges Mutual funds Values are based on the net asset value of the units held in the respective fund which are obtained from national and international exchanges or based on the net asset value of the underlying assets of the fund provided by the fund manager Common/collective trust funds Values are based on the net asset value of the units held at year end Partnership investments Values are based on the net asset value of the participation by the company in the investment as determined by the general partner or investment manager of the respective partnership Other holdings The value of these assets vary by investment type, but primarily are determined by reputable pricing vendors, who use pricing matrices or models that use observable inputs Collateral held on loaned securities Values are based on the net asset value per unit of the fund in which the collateral is invested Collateral to be paid on loaned securities Values are based on the fair value of the underlying securities loaned on the valuation date Expected Pension and OPEB Plan Funding The company’s funding policy for its pension plans is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet legal funding requirements, plus any additional amounts that the company may determine to be appropriate considering the funded status of the plans, tax deductibility, the cash flows generated by the company, and other factors. Volatility in the global financial markets could have an unfavorable impact on future funding requirements. The company has no obligation to fund its principal plans in the United States in 2019. The company continually reassesses the amount and timing of any discretionary contributions. In 2019, the company does not expect to make a contribution to its Puerto Rico pension plan and expects to make a contribution of at least $40 million to its foreign pension plans. The company expects to have net cash outflows relating to its OPEB plan of approximately $20 million in 2019. The following table details the funded status percentage of the company’s pension plans as of December 31, 2018, including certain plans that are unfunded in accordance with the guidelines of the company’s funding policy outlined above. United States and Puerto Rico International as of December 31, 2018 (in millions) Qualified plans Nonqualified plan Funded plans Unfunded plans Total Fair value of plan assets $ 4,007 n/a $ 762 n/a $ 4,769 PBO 4,144 $ 207 872 $ 400 5,623 Funded status percentage 97 % n/a 87 % n/a 85 % Pension Plan Amendments In January 2018, the company announced changes to its U.S. pension plans. The company spun off the assets and liabilities of the qualified plan attributable to current employees into a new plan and will freeze the pay and service amounts used to calculate pension benefits for active participants in the U.S. pension plans as of December 31, 2022. The assets and liabilities attributable to retired and former company employees remained with the original qualified plan. Years of additional service earned and eligible compensation received after December 31, 2022 will not be included in the determination of the benefits payable to participants. These changes resulted in a $57 million decline in the PBO upon the effective date of the changes. As a result of these changes, net periodic pension and OPEB expense decreased in 2018. U.S. Defined Contribution Plan Most U.S. employees are eligible to participate in a qualified defined contribution plan. Expense recognized by the company was $50 million in 2018, $45 million in 2017 and $50 million in 2016.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	NOTE 15 ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholders’ equity that do not arise from transactions with stockholders, and consists of net income, CTA, pension and other employee benefits, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges and, prior to 2018, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities. As a result of recent changes in accounting guidance related to available-for-sale equity securities, the unrealized gains and losses associated with these assets are no longer recognized in AOCI beginning January 1, 2018. The following table is a net-of-tax summary of the changes in AOCI by component for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. (in millions) CTA Pension and other benefits Hedging activities Available- for-sale securities Total Gains (losses) Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (3,013 ) $ (981 ) $ (10 ) $ 3 $ (4,001 ) Adoption of new accounting standard — — — (3 ) (3 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (461 ) (26 ) (1 ) — (488 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI — 58 10 — 68 Net other comprehensive (loss) income (461 ) 32 9 — (420 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (3,474 ) $ (949 ) $ (1 ) $ — $ (4,424 ) (in millions) CTA Pension and other benefits Hedging activities Available- for-sale securities Total Gains (losses) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (3,438 ) $ (1,122 ) $ 3 $ 1 $ (4,556 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 396 50 (18 ) (1 ) 427 Amounts reclassified from AOCI 29 91 5 3 128 Net other comprehensive (loss) income 425 141 (13 ) 2 555 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (3,013 ) $ (981 ) $ (10 ) $ 3 $ (4,001 ) The following table is a summary of the gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to net income during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Amounts reclassified from AOCI (a) (in millions) 2018 2017 Location of impact in income statement Translation adjustments Loss on Venezuela deconsolidation $ — $ (29 ) Other (income) expense, net — (29 ) Total before tax — — Income tax expense (benefit) $ — $ (29 ) Net of tax Amortization of pension and other employee benefits items Actuarial losses and other (b) $ (70 ) $ (137 ) Other (income) expense, net (70 ) (137 ) Total before tax 12 46 Income tax expense (benefit) $ (58 ) $ (91 ) Net of tax Gains (losses) on hedging activities Foreign exchange contracts $ (12 ) $ (8 ) Cost of sales (12 ) (8 ) Total before tax 2 3 Income tax expense (benefit) $ (10 ) $ (5 ) Net of tax Available-for-sale securities Other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities $ — $ (5 ) Other (income) expense, net — (5 ) Total before tax — 2 Income tax expense (benefit) $ — $ (3 ) Net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ (68 ) $ (128 ) Total net of tax (a) Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to net income. (b) These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost disclosed in Note 14. Refer to Note 10 for additional information regarding hedging activity and Note 14 for additional information regarding the amortization of pension and other employee benefits items.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 16 INCOME TAXES Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense by Category years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 United States $ 16 $ (291 ) $ 3,906 International 1,677 1,508 1,048 Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,693 $ 1,217 $ 4,954 Income Tax Expense Related to Continuing Operations years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Current United States Federal $ 21 $ 8 $ 10 State and local (1 ) 18 (3 ) International 310 273 282 Current income tax expense 330 299 289 Deferred United States Federal (234 ) 233 (286 ) State and local - (7 ) 3 International (33 ) (32 ) (18 ) Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (267 ) 194 (301 ) Income tax expense (benefit) $ 63 $ 493 $ (12 ) Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets Accrued expenses $ 232 $ 269 Retirement benefits 222 248 Tax credits and net operating losses 862 834 Valuation allowances (305 ) (483 ) Total deferred tax assets 1,011 868 Deferred tax liabilities Subsidiaries’ unremitted earnings 43 35 Asset basis differences 712 705 Total deferred tax liabilities 755 740 Net deferred tax asset $ 256 $ 128 At December 31, 2018, the company had U.S. state operating loss carryforwards totaling $418 million and tax credit carryforwards totaling $424 million. The U.S. operating loss carryforwards expire between 2019 and 2037 and the tax credits expire between 2019 and 2037. At December 31, 2018, the company had foreign operating loss carryforwards totaling $1.4 billion and foreign tax credit carryforwards totaling $51 million. The foreign operating loss carryforwards expire between 2019 and 2029 with $877 million having no expiration date. The foreign tax credits expire between 2021 and 2031 with $16 million having no expiration date. Realization of these operating loss and tax credit carryforwards depends on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods. A valuation allowance of $305 million and $483 million was recognized as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, to reduce the deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards because the company does not believe it is more likely than not that these assets will be fully realized prior to expiration. The company will continue to evaluate the need for additional valuation allowances and, as circumstances change, the valuation allowance may change. The narrative below indicates the December 31, 2017 provisional balances related to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act that were adjusted in 2018. Income Tax Expense Related to Continuing Operations Reconciliation years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Income tax expense at U.S. statutory rate $ 356 $ 424 $ 1,734 Retained shares tax free exchange gains — — (1,587 ) Tax incentives (161 ) (140 ) (126 ) State and local taxes 5 (6 ) 1 Foreign tax expense (benefit) 105 (82 ) — Contingent tax matters 10 (1 ) (48 ) Deferred tax revaluation due to 2017 Tax Act (8 ) (283 ) — Transition tax due to 2017 Tax Act (5 ) 529 — U.S. valuation allowance due to 2017 Tax Act (194 ) 339 — Stock options windfall tax benefits (40 ) (56 ) — Foreign tax credits generated — (246 ) — Other factors (5 ) 15 14 Income tax expense (benefit) $ 63 $ 493 $ (12 ) In the above reconciliation, the 2017 income tax expense associated with deferred tax revaluation, the transition tax and the U.S. valuation allowance, all of which result directly or indirectly from the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, included, or were, provisional amounts. In 2018, the company completed its one-year measurement period adjustments to the 2017 Tax Act provisional amounts in accordance with SAB 118. The 2017 Tax Act reduced the U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% for years after 2017. Accordingly, upon its enactment in 2017, the company remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017 to reflect the reduced rate that will apply in future periods when these deferred taxes are settled or realized. The company recognized a SAB 118 provisional deferred tax benefit of $283 million to reflect the reduced U.S. tax rate and other effects of the 2017 Tax Act. In 2018, the company collected all of the necessary data to complete its analysis of the effect of the 2017 Tax Act on the remeasurement of the underlying deferred taxes and recognized an additional deferred tax benefit of $8 million. The 2017 Tax Act requires the company to pay U.S. income taxes on accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings not previously subject to U.S. income tax at a rate of 15.5% to the extent of foreign cash and certain other net current assets and 8% on the remaining earnings. The company recognized a $529 million provisional charge in 2017 for that one-time transitional tax, the majority of which was non-cash. This charge was inclusive of relevant non-U.S. withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes on the portion of the earnings expected to be repatriated. In 2018, after further study of the 2017 Tax Act and associated U.S. Treasury Department Proposed Regulations, and further analysis of historical earnings and profits and tax pools, as well as refinements of the cash rate portion of the charge, which was provisional due to certain foreign subsidiaries with non-calendar tax year-ends, the company reduced its one-time transitional tax expense by $5 million. The 2017 Tax Act moves the U.S. from a worldwide system of taxation to a territorial system; additionally, the 2017 Tax Act changed the rules that enabled taxpayers to generate foreign source income related to export sales that were eligible to utilize foreign tax credits. Consequently, the company did not believe in 2017 that it would be more likely than not able to utilize its existing foreign tax credit deferred tax assets (DTAs) within the applicable carryforward periods. As such, a provisional $339 million U.S. Valuation Allowance was recognized in respect of the company’s foreign tax credit DTAs. U.S. Treasury Department Proposed Regulations and evaluating any elections or other opportunities that may be available, the company currently expects to be able to realize some, but not all, of the foreign tax credit DTAs up to its overall domestic loss (ODL) balance plus recurring foreign inclusions. Accordingly, the company reduced its provisional foreign tax credit DTA valuation allowance and recognized a 2018 benefit of $194 million The benefit from the lower U.S. federal rate was almost wholly offset by changes to deductions related to the 2017 Tax Act. These changes included lost tax benefits from the allocations of certain U.S. expenses to exempt foreign income. The company’s tax provision for 2018 does not include any tax charge related to either the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (GILTI) or Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) provisions as the company does not believe that it is subject to either. While not expecting to be subject to a tax charge under the 2017 Tax Act GILTI provisions in the near term, the company’s accounting policy is to recognize this tax as a period cost. Moreover, the company continues to evaluate if any portion of its outside basis difference not attributable to earnings will reverse in a taxable manner and whether it can identify and quantify those differences and the related U.S. deferred tax charges. Unrecognized Tax Benefits The company classifies interest and penalties associated with income taxes in the income tax expense (benefit) line in the consolidated statements of income. Net interest and penalties recognized during 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $8 million, $3 million and $6 million, respectively. The liability recognized related to interest and penalties was $22 million and $15 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is approximately $127 million. The following table is a reconciliation of the company’s unrecognized tax benefits, including those related to discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. as of and for the years ended (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of the year $ 108 $ 82 $ 191 Increase associated with tax positions taken during the current year 32 33 7 Increase (decrease) associated with tax positions taken during a prior year 13 2 (31 ) Settlements (5 ) (6 ) (75 ) Decrease associated with lapses in statutes of limitations (21 ) (3 ) (10 ) Balance at end of the year $ 127 $ 108 $ 82 Of the gross unrecognized tax benefits, $68 million and $87 million were recognized as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The company has recognized net indemnification receivables from Baxalta in the amount of $25 million, $48 million and $28 million as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to the unrecognized tax benefits for which the company is the primary obligor but economically relate to Baxalta operations. None of the positions included in the liability for uncertain tax positions related to tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. Tax Incentives The company has received tax incentives in Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and certain other taxing jurisdictions outside the United States. The financial impact of the reductions as compared to the statutory tax rates is indicated in the income tax expense reconciliation table above. The tax reductions as compared to the local statutory rate favorably impacted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share by $0.29 in 2018, $0.25 in 2017, and $0.23 in 2016. The Puerto Rico grant provides that the company’s manufacturing operations are and will be partially exempt from local taxes until the year 2026. Examinations of Tax Returns As of December 31, 2018, the company had ongoing audits in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Belgium and other jurisdictions. During 2018, Baxter obtained a settlement of a 2008 through 2010 transfer pricing Competent Authority proceeding between the U.S. and Germany, resulting in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) closing its examination on 2008. Tax years 2009 and forward remain under examination by the IRS. The company believes that it is reasonably possible that its gross unrecognized tax benefits will be reduced within the next 12 months by $12 million due principally to the resolution of U.S. examinations. While the final outcome of these matters is inherently uncertain, the company believes it has made adequate tax provisions for all years subject to examination.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	NOTE 17 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Baxter is involved in product liability, patent, commercial, and other legal matters that arise in the normal course of the company’s business. The company records a liability when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. If a loss is not probable or a probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no liability is recorded. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the company’s total recorded reserves with respect to legal matters were $34 million and $41 million, respectively, and there were no related receivables. Baxter has established reserves for certain of the matters discussed below. The company is not able to estimate the amount or range of any loss for certain contingencies for which there is no reserve or additional loss for matters already reserved. While the liability of the company in connection with the claims cannot be estimated and the resolution thereof in any reporting period could have a significant impact on the company’s results of operations and cash flows for that period, the outcome of these legal proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position. While the company believes that it has valid defenses in the matters set forth below, litigation is inherently uncertain, excessive verdicts do occur, and the company may incur material judgments or enter into material settlements of claims. In addition to the matters described below, the company remains subject to the risk of future administrative and legal actions. With respect to governmental and regulatory matters, these actions may lead to product recalls, injunctions, and other restrictions on the company’s operations and monetary sanctions, including significant civil or criminal penalties. With respect to intellectual property, the company may be exposed to significant litigation concerning the scope of the company’s and others’ rights. Such litigation could result in a loss of patent protection or the ability to market products, which could lead to a significant loss of sales, or otherwise materially affect future results of operations. Environmental Baxter is involved as a potentially responsible party (PRP) for environmental clean-up costs at seven Superfund sites. Under the U.S. Superfund statute and many state laws, generators of hazardous waste sent to a disposal or recycling site are liable for site cleanup if contaminants from that property later leak into the environment. The laws generally provide that a PRP may be held jointly and severally liable for the costs of investigating and remediating the site. Separate from the Superfund cases noted above, Baxter is involved in an ongoing voluntary environmental remediation associated with historic operations at the company’s Irvine, California, United States, facility. In 2017, the company recorded a pre-tax charge of $15 million related to a former location and included that charge within loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, on the consolidated statement of income. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the company’s environmental reserves, which are measured on an undiscounted basis, were $19 million and $21 million, respectively. After considering these reserves, management is of the opinion that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position or results of operations. General litigation On July 31, 2015, DaVita Inc. (f/k/a DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.) filed suit against Baxter Healthcare Corporation in the District Court of the State of Colorado regarding an ongoing commercial dispute relating to the provision of peritoneal dialysis products. A bench trial concluded in the third quarter 2016 and the parties were awaiting the court’s decision. On February 16, 2018, the parties entered into a settlement agreement providing for a full and final release of all claims and damages that were or could have been asserted in the commercial dispute in connection with their entry into a new peritoneal dialysis products supply agreement. The court granted an order to dismiss the litigation on February 21, 2018. In November 2016, a purported antitrust class action complaint seeking monetary and injunctive relief was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint alleges a conspiracy among manufacturers of IV solutions to restrict output and affect pricing in connection with a shortage of such solutions. Similar parallel actions subsequently were filed. In January 2017, a single consolidated complaint covering these matters was filed in the Northern District of Illinois. The company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint in February 2017. The court granted the company’s motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint without prejudice in July 2018. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on September 6, 2018. The company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on November 9, 2018. In April 2017, the company became aware of a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division and a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The company and an employee received subpoenas seeking production of documents and testimony regarding the manufacturing, selling, pricing and shortages of IV solutions and containers (including saline solutions and certain other injectable medicines sold by the company) and communications with competitors regarding the same. On November 30, 2018, the DOJ notified the company that it had closed the investigation. The New York Attorney General has also requested that Baxter provide information regarding business practices in the IV saline industry. The company is cooperating with the New York Attorney General. Other In the fourth quarter of 2012, the company received two investigative demands from the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for information regarding its quality and manufacturing practices and procedures at its North Cove facility. In January 2017, the parties resolved this matter by entering into a deferred prosecution agreement and a civil settlement whereby the company agreed to pay approximately $18 million and implement certain enhanced compliance measures. In December 2016, the company received a civil investigative demand from the Commercial Litigation Branch of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) primarily relating to contingent discount arrangements for, and other promotion of, the company’s TISSEEL and ARTISS products. In April 2018, the DOJ filed a notice of its decision not to intervene and an underlying qui tam complaint ( U.S. ex rel. Andrew Capp v. Baxter

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	NOTE 18 SEGMENT INFORMATION The company manages its business based on three geographical segments: Americas (North and South America), EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific). The company’s segments provide a broad portfolio of essential healthcare products, including acute and chronic dialysis therapies; sterile IV solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; inhaled anesthetics; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; and surgical hemostat and sealant products. The company uses operating income on a segment basis to make resource allocation decisions and assess the ongoing performance of the company’s business segments. Intersegment sales are eliminated in consolidation. Certain items are maintained at Corporate and are not allocated to a segment. They primarily include most of the company’s debt and cash and cash equivalents and related net interest expense, foreign exchange rate fluctuations (principally relating to intercompany receivables, payables and loans denominated in a foreign currency) and the majority of the foreign currency hedging activities, corporate headquarters costs, certain research and development costs, certain Global Business Unit (GBU) support costs, stock compensation expense, nonstrategic investments and related income and expense, certain employee benefit plan costs as well as certain gains, losses, and other charges (such as business optimization, integration and separation-related costs, and asset impairments). The company’s chief operating decision maker does not receive any asset information by operating segment and, accordingly, the company does not report asset information by operating segment. Financial information for the company’s segments is as follows: for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Net sales Americas $ 5,959 $ 5,720 $ 5,437 EMEA 2,961 2,731 2,697 APAC 2,207 2,110 2,029 Total net sales $ 11,127 $ 10,561 $ 10,163 Operating income Americas $ 2,412 $ 2,234 $ 2,078 EMEA 674 564 476 APAC 538 512 464 Total segment operating income $ 3,624 $ 3,310 $ 3,018 Depreciation Expense Americas $ 222 $ 224 $ 217 EMEA 176 166 178 APAC 96 85 86 Corporate and other 119 132 151 Total depreciation expense $ 613 $ 607 $ 632 Capital expenditures Americas $ 291 $ 267 $ 332 EMEA 161 161 140 APAC 128 96 103 Corporate and other 134 101 116 Total capital expenditures $ 714 $ 625 $ 691 The following table is a reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes per the consolidated statements of income. for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Total segment operating income $ 3,624 $ 3,310 $ 3,018 Corporate and other (2,025 ) (2,019 ) (2,273 ) Total operating income 1,599 1,291 745 Net interest expense 45 55 66 Other (income) expense, net (139 ) 19 (4,275 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,693 $ 1,217 $ 4,954 Net Sales by GBU The following table represents net sales by GBU. years ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Renal Care 1 3,662 3,480 3,421 Medication Delivery 2 2,669 2,698 2,596 Pharmaceuticals 3 2,092 1,883 1,722 Clinical Nutrition 4 877 882 858 Advanced Surgery 5 800 707 690 Acute Therapies 6 517 456 429 Other ⁷ 510 455 447 Total Baxter $ 11,127 $ 10,561 $ 10,163 1 Renal Care includes sales of the company’s peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD) and additional dialysis therapies and services. 2 Medication Delivery includes sales of the company’s IV therapies, infusion pumps, administration sets and drug reconstitution devices. 3 Pharmaceuticals includes of the company’s premixed and oncology drug platforms, inhaled anesthesia and critical care products and pharmacy compounding services. 4 Clinical Nutrition includes sales of the company’s parenteral nutrition (PN) therapies and related products. 5 Advanced Surgery includes sales of the company’s biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasis, tissue sealing and adhesion prevention. ⁶ Acute Therapies includes sales of the company’s continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) and other organ support therapies focused in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⁷ Other includes sales primarily from the company’s pharmaceutical partnering business. Geographic information for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Net sales United States $ 4,723 $ 4,510 $ 4,259 Latin America and Canada 1,236 1,210 1,178 Total Americas $ 5,959 $ 5,720 $ 5,437 EMEA 2,961 2,731 2,697 APAC 2,207 2,110 2,029 Total net sales $ 11,127 $ 10,561 $ 10,163 as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 PP&E, net United States $ 1,755 $ 1,772 EMEA 1,222 1,268 APAC 898 903 Latin America and Canada 667 645 Consolidated PP&E, net $ 4,542 $ 4,588

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS AND

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS AND MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S STOCK (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS AND MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S STOCK (UNAUDITED)	NOTE 19 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS AND MARKET FOR THE COMPANY’S STOCK (UNAUDITED) years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share data) First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Full year 2018 Net sales $ 2,677 $ 2,842 $ 2,767 $ 2,841 $ 11,127 Gross margin 1 1,114 1,239 1,236 1,192 4,781 Income from continuing operations 1 389 343 544 354 1,630 Income from continuing operations per common share 1 Basic 0.72 0.64 1.02 0.67 3.05 Diluted 0.71 0.63 1.00 0.66 2.99 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 1 — — — (6 ) (6 ) Loss from discontinued operations per common share Basic 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.01 ) (0.01 ) Diluted 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.01 ) (0.02 ) Net income 1 389 343 544 348 1,624 Net income per common share 1 Basic 0.72 0.64 1.02 0.66 3.04 Diluted 0.71 0.63 1.00 0.65 2.97 Cash dividends declared per common share 0.160 0.190 0.190 0.190 0.730 Market price per common share High 72.26 75.41 77.75 77.80 77.80 Low 62.56 63.43 70.71 61.45 61.45 2017 Net sales $ 2,475 $ 2,605 $ 2,707 $ 2,774 $ 10,561 Gross margin 2 1,044 1,132 1,130 1,164 4,470 Income (loss) from continuing operations 2 273 264 248 (61 ) 724 Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share 2 Basic 0.50 0.49 0.46 (0.11 ) 1.33 Diluted 0.50 0.48 0.45 (0.11 ) 1.30 (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (1 ) 1 3 (10 ) (7 ) (Loss) income from discontinued operations per common share Basic 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.02 ) (0.01 ) Diluted (0.01 ) 0.00 0.00 (0.02 ) (0.01 ) Net income (loss) 2 272 265 251 (71 ) 717 Net income (loss) per common share 2 Basic 0.50 0.49 0.46 (0.13 ) 1.32 Diluted 0.49 0.48 0.45 (0.13 ) 1.29 Cash dividends declared per common share 0.130 0.160 0.160 0.160 0.610 Market price per common share High 52.30 61.38 64.61 66.05 66.05 Low 44.44 52.29 59.50 61.45 44.44 1 2

Schedule II - Qualifying And Va

Schedule II - Qualifying And Valuation Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Qualifying And Valuation Accounts	Additions Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (in millions) Balance at beginning of period Charged to costs and expenses (Credited) charged to other accounts (1) Deductions Balance at end of period Year ended December 31, 2018: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 120 4 (7 ) (7 ) $ 110 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $ 483 15 (4 ) (189 ) $ 305 Year ended December 31, 2017: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 127 4 8 (19 ) $ 120 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $ 150 350 — (17 ) $ 483 Year ended December 31, 2016: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 110 16 11 (10 ) $ 127 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $ 135 16 3 (4 ) $ 150 (1) Valuation accounts of acquired or divested companies and foreign currency translation adjustments. Reserves are deducted from assets to which they apply.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a broad portfolio of essential healthcare products, including acute and chronic dialysis therapies; sterile intravenous (IV) solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; inhaled anesthetics; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; and surgical hemostat and sealant products. The company’s global footprint and the critical nature of its products and services play a key role in expanding access to healthcare in emerging and developed countries. These products are used by hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors’ offices and by patients at home under physician supervision. The company operates in three segments: Americas, EMEA and APAC, which are described in Note 18.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires the company to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Baxter and its majority-owned subsidiaries that Baxter controls, after elimination of intercompany transactions. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period consolidated financial statements to the current period presentation. On November 18, 2018, Baxter acquired a controlling financial interest in its joint venture in Saudi Arabia. The acquisition allows the company to increase manufacturing output and utilize the facilities for additional capacity for certain products in the region. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018, the company consolidated the financial statements of the joint venture with the company's consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 5 for additional information. On March 16, 2018, Baxter acquired two hemostat and sealant products from Mallinckrodt plc: RECOTHROM Thrombin topical (Recombinant) and PREVELEAK Surgical Sealant for total consideration of $184 million. Beginning March 16, 2018, Baxter’s financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK. Refer to Note 5 for additional information. On July 27, 2017, Baxter acquired 100 percent of Claris Injectables Limited (Claris), a wholly owned subsidiary of Claris Lifesciences Limited, for total cash consideration of approximately $629 million, net of cash acquired. Beginning July 27, 2017, Baxter’s financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of Claris. Refer to Note 5 for additional information. On July 1, 2015, Baxter completed the distribution of approximately 80.5% of the outstanding common stock of Baxalta Incorporated (Baxalta), to Baxter stockholders (the Distribution). In 2016, Baxter disposed of its remaining 19.5% interest in Baxalta through a series of transactions including debt-for-equity exchanges, an equity-for-equity exchange and a contribution to its U.S. pension plan. As a result of these transactions, the company extinguished approximately $3.65 billion in company indebtedness, repurchased 11,526,638 Baxter shares and contributed 17,145,570 Baxalta shares to its U.S. pension plan. On June 3, 2016, Baxalta became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shire plc (Shire). In January 2019, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) acquired Shire. References in this report to Baxalta prior to the Merger closing date refer to Baxalta as a stand-alone public company. References in this report to Baxalta subsequent to the Merger closing date refer to Baxalta as a subsidiary of Shire. As a result of the separation, the consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of cash flow, and related financial information reflect Baxalta’s operations, assets and liabilities, and cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Refer to Note 2 for additional information regarding the separation of Baxalta. Currency restrictions enacted in Venezuela require Baxter to obtain approval from the Venezuelan government to exchange Venezuelan bolivars for U.S. dollars and require such exchange to be made at the official exchange rate established by the government. In the first quarter of 2016, the Venezuelan government moved from the three-tier exchange rate system to a two-tiered exchange rate system and the official rate for food and medicine imports was adjusted from 6.3 to 10 bolivars per U.S. dollar. Due to a decline in transactions settled at the official rate or the secondary rate and limitations on the company’s ability to repatriate funds generated by its Venezuela operations, the company concluded in the second quarter of 2017 that it no longer met the accounting criteria for control over its business in Venezuela and the company deconsolidated its Venezuelan operations on June 30, 2017. As a result of deconsolidating the Venezuelan operations, the company recorded a pre-tax charge of $33 million in other (income) expense, net in 2017. This charge included the write-off of the company’s investment in its Venezuelan operations, related cumulative translation adjustments and elimination of intercompany amounts. Beginning in the third quarter of 2017, the company no longer included the results of its Venezuelan business in its consolidated financial statements. In 2018, the company liquidated its subsidiary in Venezuela and currently sells direct to distributors in that country through legal entities outside of Venezuela. These distributors purchase applicable products from the company in U.S. dollars and are responsible for importing those products into Venezuela. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused damage to certain of the company's assets in Puerto Rico and disrupted operations. Insurance, less applicable deductibles and subject to any coverage exclusions, covers the repair or replacement of the company's assets that suffered loss or damage, and also provides coverage for interruption to its business, including lost profits, and reimbursement for other expenses and costs that have been incurred relating to the damages and losses suffered. In 2017, the company recorded $32 million of pre-tax charges related to damages caused by the hurricane, including $11 million related to the impairment of damaged inventory and fixed assets as well as $21 million of idle facility and other costs. These amounts were recorded as a component of cost of sales in the consolidated statement of income for year ended December 31, 2017. In 2018, the company recognized $42 million of insurance recoveries related to the previously mentioned asset impairments and idle facility and other costs suffered as a result of the hurricane. These benefits were recorded as a reduction of cost of sales and within other operating income in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2018. At this time, any additional insurance recoveries are not realizable, and accordingly, no additional amounts have been recorded as of December 31, 2018.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) as of January 1, 2018. Results for the year ended December 31, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while earlier periods are presented under previous guidance. See further discussion of the impact of Topic 606 below under the header “New Accounting Standards.” Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control of the company’s products or services. The company’s global payment terms are typically between 30-90 days. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account in the contract. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Some of the company’s contracts have multiple performance obligations. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the company allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using its best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. The majority of the company’s performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time. This includes sales of the company’s broad portfolio of essential healthcare products across its geographic segments including acute and chronic dialysis therapies; sterile IV solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; inhaled anesthetics; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; and surgical hemostat and sealant products. For a majority of these sales, the company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon delivery to the customer. Shipping and handling activities are considered to be fulfillment activities and are not considered to be a separate performance obligation. To a lesser extent, in all the company’s segments, the company enters into other types of contracts including contract manufacturing arrangements, equipment leases, and certain subscription software and licensing arrangements. The company recognizes revenue for these arrangements over time or at a point in time depending on its evaluation of when the customer obtains control of the promised goods or services. Revenue is recognized over time when the company is creating or enhancing an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced or the company’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use and the company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed. On December 31, 2018, the company had $8.4 billion of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations related to executed contracts with an original duration of one year or more which are primarily included in the Americas segment. Some contracts in the United States included in this amount contain index-dependent price increases, which are not known at this time. The company expects to recognize approximately 20% of this amount as revenue each in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, 15% in 2023, and the remaining balance thereafter. Significant Judgments Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net sales price (transaction price), which includes estimates of variable consideration for reserves related to rebates, product returns, sales discounts and wholesaler chargebacks. These reserves are based on estimates of the amounts earned or to be claimed on the related sales and are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Management's estimates take into consideration historical experience, current contractual and statutory requirements, specific known market events and trends, industry data, and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. Overall, these reserves reflect the company’s best estimates of the amount of consideration to which it is entitled based on the terms of the contract using the expected value method. The amount of variable consideration included in the net sales price is limited to the amount that is probable not to result in a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized in a future period. Revenue recognized in the current period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods was not material. The company’s contracts with customers sometimes include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may require significant judgment. Judgment is also required to determine the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation and whether there is a discount to be allocated based on the relative stand-alone selling price of the various products and services. Contract Balances The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and customer advances and deposits (contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance sheet. Net trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018 were $1.7 billion. Generally, for certain contract manufacturing and software arrangements, revenue recognition occurs prior to billing, resulting in contract assets. These assets are reported on the consolidated balance sheet on an individual basis at the end of each reporting period. The contract asset balances at December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018 were $80 million and $73 million, respectively. The contract assets as of December 31, 2018 are presented within accounts and other current receivables, net ($50 million) and other ($30 million) on the consolidated balance sheet. The company had contract assets of $33 million and $31 million as of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively, related to certain contract manufacturing arrangements for which revenue is recognized throughout the production cycle which typically lasts up to 90 days. The company had contract assets of $47 million and $42 million as of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively, related to certain software arrangements for which revenue is recognized upon delivery to the customer, however the customer is billed over time, generally between one and five years. The company had no contract liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively. Practical Expedients The company applies a practical expedient to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract with a customer when the amortization period would have been one year or less. The company does not disclose the value of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less. The company has elected to use the practical expedient to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if it is expected, at contract inception, that the period between when the company transfers a promised good or service to a customer, and when the customer pays for that good or service, will be one year or less. Additionally, all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected from a customer are excluded from revenue.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts In the normal course of business, the company provides credit to its customers, performs credit evaluations of these customers and maintains reserves for potential credit losses. In determining the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts, the company considers, among other items, historical credit losses, the past-due status of receivables, payment histories and other customer-specific information. Receivables are written off when the company determines they are uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $110 million at December 31, 2018 and $120 million at December 31, 2017.
Product Warranties	Product Warranties The company provides for the estimated costs relating to product warranties at the time the related revenue is recognized. The cost is determined based on actual company experience for the same or similar products, as well as other relevant information. Product warranty liabilities are adjusted based on changes in estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash, certificates of deposit and money market funds with an original maturity of three months or less.
Inventories	Inventories as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Raw materials $ 363 $ 347 Work in process 203 116 Finished goods 1,087 1,012 Inventories $ 1,653 $ 1,475 Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market value. Market value for raw materials is based on replacement costs, and market value for work in process and finished goods is based on net realizable
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Land $ 142 $ 144 Buildings and leasehold improvements 1,698 1,687 Machinery and equipment 6,331 6,220 Equipment with customers 1,457 1,403 Construction in progress 699 694 Total property, plant and equipment, at cost 10,327 10,148 Accumulated depreciation (5,785 ) (5,560 ) Property, plant and equipment (PP&E), net $ 4,542 $ 4,588 Depreciation expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 20 to 50 years for buildings and improvements and from three to 15 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related facility lease (including any renewal periods, if appropriate) or the asset, whichever is shorter. Baxter capitalizes certain computer software and software development costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use as part of machinery and equipment. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, and are included in depreciation expense. Straight-line and accelerated methods of depreciation are used for income tax purposes. Depreciation expense was $613 million in 2018, $607 million in 2017 and $632 million in 2016. Depreciation expense in 2018, 2017 and 2016 included accelerated depreciation of $9 million, $18 million and $48 million, respectively, related to business optimization and Baxalta separation costs. In 2018, the estimated useful life of the company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) software was extended from 2020 on a prospective basis based on the company’s commitment to upgrade, enhance and support its existing systems through 2028. This change in estimate resulted in a reduction of depreciation expense of $24 million and increase in net income of $20 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Results of operations of acquired companies are included in the company’s results of operations as of the respective acquisition dates. The purchase price of each acquisition is allocated to the net assets acquired based on estimates of their fair values at the date of the acquisition. Any purchase price in excess of these net assets is recorded as goodwill. The allocation of purchase price in certain cases may be subject to revision based on the final determination of fair values during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. Contingent consideration related to business combinations is recognized at the estimated fair value on the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair value of contingent payments are recognized in earnings. Contingent payments related to acquisitions may consist of development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, in addition to sales-based payments, and are valued using discounted cash flow techniques. The fair value of development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments reflects management’s expectations of probability of payment, and increases or decreases as the probability of payment or expectation of timing of payments changes. The fair value of sales-based payments is based upon probability-weighted future revenue estimates and increases or decreases as revenue estimates or expectation of timing of payments changes.
Research and Development	Research and Development Research and development (R&D) costs, including R&D acquired in transactions that are not business combinations, are expensed as incurred. Pre-regulatory approval contingent milestone obligations to counterparties in collaborative arrangements which include acquired R&D are expensed when the milestone is achieved. Contingent milestone payments made to such counterparties on or after regulatory approval are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the related product. Amounts capitalized for such payments are included in other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization. Acquired in-process R&D (IPR&D) is the value assigned to technology or products under development acquired in a business combination which have not received regulatory approval and have no alternative future use. Acquired IPR&D is capitalized as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Development costs incurred after the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Upon receipt of regulatory approval of the related technology or product, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is accounted for as a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic life of the related technology or product, subject to annual impairment reviews as discussed below. If the R&D project is abandoned, the indefinite-lived asset is charged to expense.
Collaborative Arrangements	Collaborative Arrangements The company enters into collaborative arrangements in the normal course of business. These collaborative arrangements take a number of forms and structures, and are designed to enhance and expedite long-term sales and profitability growth. These arrangements may provide that Baxter obtain commercialization rights to a product under development, and require Baxter to make upfront payments, contingent milestone payments, profit-sharing, and/or royalty payments. Baxter may be responsible for ongoing costs associated with the arrangements, including R&D cost reimbursements to the counterparty. See above regarding the accounting treatment of upfront and contingent payments. Any royalty and profit-sharing payments during the commercialization phase are expensed as cost of sales when they become due and payable.
Business Optimization Charges	Business Optimization Charges The company records liabilities for costs associated with exit or disposal activities in the period in which the liability is incurred. Employee termination costs are primarily recorded when actions are probable and estimable. Costs for one-time termination benefits in which the employee is required to render service until termination in order to receive the benefits are recognized ratably over the future service period. Refer to the discussion below regarding the accounting for asset impairment charges.
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Other Long-Lived Assets	Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Other Long-Lived Assets Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment review annually and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The company has the option to assess goodwill for impairment by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the company determines that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required to be performed. If the company determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if it does not elect the option to perform an initial qualitative assessment, it performs the two-step goodwill impairment test. In the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its book value including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of its book value, the related goodwill is not impaired and no further analysis is necessary. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, there is an indication of potential impairment and a second step is performed. When required, the second step of testing involves calculating the implied fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as goodwill recognized in a business combination, which is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit determined in step one over the fair value of its net assets, including identifiable intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as IPR&D acquired in business combinations and certain trademarks with indefinite lives, are subject to an impairment review annually and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The company has the option to assess indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by first performing qualitative assessments to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of its indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than the carrying amounts. If the company determines that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, or if it elects not to perform an initial qualitative assessment, it then performs the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, the company writes the carrying amount down to the fair value. The company reviews the carrying amounts of long-lived assets, other than goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization, for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating recoverability, the company groups assets and liabilities at the lowest level such that the identifiable cash flows relating to the group are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The company then compares the carrying amounts of the assets or asset groups with the related estimated undiscounted future cash flows. In the event impairment exists, an impairment charge is recorded as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value.
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping costs, which are costs incurred to physically move product from Baxter’s premises to the customer’s premises, are classified as marketing and administrative expenses. Handling costs, which are costs incurred to store, move and prepare products for shipment, are classified as cost of sales. Approximately $329 million in 2018, $291 million in 2017 and $311 million in 2016 of shipping costs were classified in marketing and administrative expenses.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based on enacted tax laws and rates. The company maintains valuation allowances unless it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized. With respect to uncertain tax positions, the company determines whether the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. Any tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured and recognized in the consolidated financial statements at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The liability relating to uncertain tax positions is classified as current in the consolidated balance sheets to the extent the company anticipates making a payment within one year. Interest and penalties associated with income taxes are classified in the income tax expense line in the consolidated statements of income. Refer to the Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements section of this note and Note 16 for additional information related to the 2017 Tax Act.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation Currency translation adjustments (CTA) related to foreign operations are included in other comprehensive income (OCI). For foreign operations in highly inflationary economies, translation gains and losses are included in other (income) expense, net, and were not material in 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Derivatives and Hedging Activities All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and are classified as short-term or long-term based on the scheduled maturity of the instrument. The company designates certain of its derivative instruments as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges. For each derivative instrument that is designated and effective as a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and then recognized in earnings consistent with the underlying hedged item. Option premiums or net premiums paid are initially recorded as assets and reclassified to OCI over the life of the option, and then recognized in earnings consistent with the underlying hedged item. Cash flow hedges are classified in net sales, cost of sales, and net interest expense, and primarily related to forecasted third-party sales denominated in foreign currencies, forecasted intercompany sales denominated in foreign currencies and anticipated issuances of debt, respectively. For each derivative instrument that is designated and effective as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized immediately to earnings, and offsets the loss or gain on the underlying hedged item. Fair value hedges are classified in net interest expense, as they hedge the interest rate risk associated with certain of the company’s fixed-rate debt. For a portion of the company’s senior notes, the company has designated this debt as a hedge of its net investment in its European operations, and, as a result, mark to spot rate adjustments of the outstanding debt balances have been and will be recorded as a component of AOCI. For derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges, the change in fair value is recorded directly to other (income) expense, net. If it is determined that a derivative or nonderivative hedging instrument is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. If the company removes the cash flow hedge designation because the hedged forecasted transactions are no longer probable of occurring, any gains or losses are immediately reclassified from AOCI to earnings. Gains or losses relating to terminations of effective cash flow hedges in which the forecasted transactions are still probable of occurring are deferred and recognized consistent with the income or loss recognition of the underlying hedged items. If the company terminates a fair value hedge, an amount equal to the cumulative fair value adjustment to the hedged items at the date of termination is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedged item. If the company removes the net investment hedge designation, any gains or losses recognized in AOCI are not reclassified to earnings until the company sells, liquidates, or deconsolidates the foreign investments that were being hedged. Derivatives, including those that are not designated as a hedge, are principally classified in the operating section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 10 for further information regarding the company’s derivative and hedging activities.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. As a result of the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the reclassification of certain tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings. The optional guidance is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The company plans to adopt this guidance and is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The purpose of this ASU is to better align a company’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships, simplify the hedge accounting requirements, and improve the disclosures of hedging arrangements. The effective date for this ASU is January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued an update to the leasing guidance to allow an additional transition option which would allow companies to adopt the standard as of the beginning of the year of adoption as opposed to the earliest comparative period presented. Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases, other than those that meet the definition of a short-term lease. This ASU is effective for the company beginning January 1, 2019 and the company expects the adoption to materially increase assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets related to those leases classified as operating and not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets under current GAAP. The company does not anticipate any material change on the consolidated balance sheets related to capital leases under current GAAP or to the consolidated statements of income and cash flows. Under the new standard, lessor accounting will be largely unchanged from current GAAP, however, disclosures will be expanded. The estimated impact of the adoption of this standard will be an increase to the company’s assets and liabilities of less than 5% of total assets as of January 1, 2019. Recently adopted accounting pronouncements As of January 1, 2018, the company adopted ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. ASU No. 2016-16 generally accelerates the recognition of income tax consequences for asset transfers between entities under common control. Entities are required to adopt using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption for previously unrecognized income tax expense. The company recorded a net negative retained earnings adjustment of approximately $66 million upon adoption of the standard on January 1, 2018 related to the unrecognized income tax effects of asset transfers that occurred prior to adoption. Net income increased $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as a result of the adoption of the standard. As of January 1, 2018, the company adopted ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. The new standard amends certain aspects of accounting and disclosure requirements of financial instruments, including the requirement that equity investments with readily determinable fair values be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the results of operations. For privately-held securities, the company elected the measurement alternative approach for its existing investments, which is applied prospectively upon adoption. This approach requires entities to measure their investments at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. As of January 1, 2018, the company adopted Topic 606, which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU No. 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. The primary impact of the new standard relates to the company’s contract manufacturing operations and software arrangements. Certain contract manufacturing arrangements require revenue recognition over-time in situations in which the company produces products that have no alternative use and the company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date, inclusive of a reasonable profit margin. This results in an acceleration of revenue recognition for certain contractual arrangements as compared to recognition under prior accounting literature. The new guidance also impacts the company’s arrangements subject to previous software revenue recognition guidance, as the company is required to recognize as revenue a significant portion of the contract consideration upon delivery of the software compared to the previous practice of recognizing the contract consideration ratably over time for certain arrangements. The company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method. The impact to net sales as a result of the adoption was an increase of $7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The impact to cost of sales was not material for the year ended December 31, 2018. As of January 1, 2018, the company adopted ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which amends ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits, to require employers that present a measure of operating income in their statements of earnings to include only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in operating expenses. Under that guidance, the service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost are presented in the same operating expense line items as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost, including interest costs, expected return on assets, amortization of prior service cost/credit and actuarial gains/losses, and settlement and curtailment effects, are presented within other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of income. This guidance impacted the presentation of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the consolidated statements of income with no impact on net income. The company elected to apply a practical expedient which allows it to reclassify amounts disclosed previously in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as the basis for applying retrospective presentation for prior comparative periods. The impact of the adoption of the standard was a decrease to operating income and an increase to other (income) expense, net of $48 million in 2018 and an increase to operating income and a decrease to other (income) expense, net of $33 million and $21 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of January 1, 2017, the company adopted on a prospective basis ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. The updated guidance requires all tax effects related to share-based payments to be recorded in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income. Previous guidance required that tax effects of deductions in excess of share-based compensation costs (windfall tax benefits) be recorded in additional paid-in capital, and tax deficiencies be recorded in additional paid-in capital to the extent of previously recognized windfall tax benefits, with the remainder recorded in income tax expense. The new guidance also requires the cash flows resulting from windfall tax benefits to be reported as operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows, rather than the previous requirement to present windfall tax benefits as an inflow from financing activities. Net income and operating cash flow for 2018 and 2017 included windfall tax benefits of approximately $40 million and $56 million, respectively. Prior periods have not been restated and therefore, windfall tax benefits of $39 million for In December 2017, the SEC issued guidance for situations where the accounting for certain elements of the 2017 Tax Act could not be completed prior to the release of a company's financial statements. For specific elements of the 2017 Tax Act, the company determined a reasonable estimate for certain effects and recorded that estimate as a provisional amount in 2017. The guidance provided a measurement period to allow a company to account for these specific elements, which began in the reporting period that included the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act and ended when the company obtained, prepared and analyzed the information needed in order to complete its accounting assessments or one year, whichever occurred sooner. The resulting tax effects must be recognized in the period the assessment is complete, and included in income tax (benefit) expense, accompanied by appropriate disclosures. The measurement period closed in 2018 and the company recorded adjustments to reduce income tax expense by $207 million in 2018. Refer to Note 16 for additional information related to the 2017 Tax Act.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Inventories	as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Raw materials $ 363 $ 347 Work in process 203 116 Finished goods 1,087 1,012 Inventories $ 1,653 $ 1,475
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Land $ 142 $ 144 Buildings and leasehold improvements 1,698 1,687 Machinery and equipment 6,331 6,220 Equipment with customers 1,457 1,403 Construction in progress 699 694 Total property, plant and equipment, at cost 10,327 10,148 Accumulated depreciation (5,785 ) (5,560 ) Property, plant and equipment (PP&E), net $ 4,542 $ 4,588

SEPARATION OF BAXALTA INCORPO_2

SEPARATION OF BAXALTA INCORPORATED (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Summary of Discontinued Operations	The following table is a summary of the operating results related to Baxalta, which have been reflected as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Major classes of line items constituting income from discontinued operations before income taxes Net sales $ — $ 7 $ 148 Cost of sales — (5 ) (139 ) Marketing and administrative expenses — (1 ) (20 ) Research and development expenses — — — Other (expense) income (13 ) — 1 Total (loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (13 ) 1 (10 ) Gain on disposal of discontinued operations — 2 19 Income tax expense (benefit) (7 ) — 10 Total (loss) income from discontinued operations $ (6 ) $ 3 $ (1 )

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORM_2

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Prepaid Expenses and Other	Prepaid Expenses and Other as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Prepaid value added taxes $ 130 $ 134 Prepaid income taxes 79 99 Other 413 368 Prepaid expenses and other $ 622 $ 601
Other Long-Term Assets	Other Long-Term Assets as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Deferred income taxes $ 461 $ 408 Other long-term receivables 173 187 All other 190 192 Other long-term assets $ 824 $ 787
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Accounts payable, principally trade $ 1,004 $ 920 Common stock dividends payable 101 87 Employee compensation and withholdings 485 548 Property, payroll and certain other taxes 130 143 Business optimization reserves 90 100 Accrued rebates 193 218 All other 725 717 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 2,728 $ 2,733
Other Long-Term Liabilities	Other Long-Term Liabilities as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Pension and other employee benefits $ 1,113 $ 1,211 Deferred tax liabilities 205 280 Litigation reserves 28 27 Business optimization reserves 11 12 All other 159 135 Other long-term liabilities $ 1,516 $ 1,665
Net Interest Expense	Net Interest Expense years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Interest costs $ 105 $ 98 $ 107 Interest costs capitalized (12 ) (13 ) (18 ) Interest expense 93 85 89 Interest income (48 ) (30 ) (23 ) Net interest expense $ 45 $ 55 $ 66
Other (Income) Expense, Net	Other (Income) Expense, net years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Foreign exchange $ (73 ) $ (50 ) $ (28 ) Net loss on debt extinguishment — — 153 Net realized gains on Retained Shares transaction — — (4,387 ) Gain on sale of investments and other assets (6 ) (3 ) (3 ) Saudi Arabia joint venture gain (24 ) — — Venezuela deconsolidation — 33 — Pension and other postemployment benefit plans (48 ) 33 21 All other 12 6 (31 ) Other (income) expense, net $ (139 ) $ 19 $ (4,275 )

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Basic Shares to Diluted Shares	The following table is a reconciliation of basic shares to diluted shares. years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Basic shares 534 543 546 Effect of dilutive securities 12 12 5 Diluted shares 546 555 551

ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER ARRANG_2

ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date for the company’s acquisition of Claris: (in millions) Assets acquired and liabilities assumed Cash $ 11 Accounts and other current receivables 16 Inventories 30 Prepaid expenses and other 16 Property, plant and equipment 130 Goodwill 296 Other intangible assets 280 Other 20 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (23 ) Other long-term liabilities (136 ) Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 640
Schedule of Total Consideration	The following table summarizes total consideration: (in millions) Cash $ 163 Contingent consideration 21 Total consideration $ 184
Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired	The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired as of the acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired Accounts receivable $ 2 Inventory 80 Goodwill 2 Other intangible assets 100 Total assets acquired $ 184
Saudi Arabia Joint Venture
Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired and liabilities assumed Cash $ 4 Accounts and other current receivables 25 Inventories 8 Property, plant and equipment 12 Goodwill 17 Other Intangible assets 40 Other 2 Short-term debt (4 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (16 ) Other long-term liabilities (8 ) Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 80
Schedule of Total Consideration	The following table summarizes the fair value of consideration transferred: (in millions) Consideration transferred Cash $ 2 Fair value of equity investment 39 Noncontrolling interest 39 Total consideration transferred $ 80

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	The following table is a summary of the activity in goodwill by segment. (in millions) Americas EMEA APAC Total December 31, 2016 $ 2,071 $ 329 $ 195 $ 2,595 Additions 242 38 23 $ 303 Currency translation and other adjustments 161 25 15 $ 201 December 31, 2017 $ 2,474 $ 392 $ 233 $ 3,099 Additions 16 17 — 33 Currency translation and other adjustments (139 ) (22 ) (13 ) (174 ) December 31, 2018 $ 2,351 $ 387 $ 220 $ 2,958
Other Intangible Assets, Net	The following table is a summary of the company’s other intangible assets. (in millions) Developed technology, including patents Other amortized intangible assets Indefinite-lived intangible assets Total December 31, 2018 Gross other intangible assets $ 2,115 $ 451 $ 188 $ 2,754 Accumulated amortization (1,106 ) (250 ) — (1,356 ) Other intangible assets, net $ 1,009 $ 201 $ 188 $ 1,398 December 31, 2017 Gross other intangible assets $ 2,002 $ 435 $ 172 $ 2,609 Accumulated amortization (1,010 ) (225 ) — (1,235 ) Other intangible assets, net $ 992 $ 210 $ 172 $ 1,374

BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION CHARGES (

BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION CHARGES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Business Optimization Charges	The company recorded the following charges related to business optimization programs in 2018, 2017, and 2016: years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Restructuring charges, net $ 117 $ 70 $ 285 Costs to implement business optimization programs 94 89 65 Gambro integration costs — — 26 Accelerated depreciation 9 10 33 Total business optimization charges $ 220 $ 169 $ 409
Components of Restructuring Costs	The company recorded the following components of restructuring costs in 2018, 2017 and 2016: 2018 (in millions) COGS SGA R&D Total Employee termination costs $ 38 $ 57 $ 21 $ 116 Contract termination and other costs 4 6 — 10 Asset impairments 1 6 — 7 Reserve adjustments Employee termination costs (8 ) (6 ) (2 ) (16 ) Total restructuring charges $ 35 $ 63 $ 19 $ 117 2017 (in millions) COGS SGA R&D Total Employee termination costs $ 31 $ 47 $ — $ 78 Contract termination and other costs — 5 — 5 Asset impairments 5 1 — 6 Reserve adjustments Employee termination costs (9 ) (8 ) (2 ) (19 ) Total restructuring charges $ 27 $ 45 $ (2 ) $ 70 2016 (in millions) COGS SGA R&D Total Employee termination costs $ 72 $ 109 $ 13 $ 194 Contract termination and other costs 9 5 13 27 Asset impairments 38 — 40 78 Reserve adjustments Employee termination costs (1 ) (11 ) (2 ) (14 ) Total restructuring charges $ 118 $ 103 $ 64 $ 285
Summary of Activity in Reserves related to Business Optimization Initiatives	The following table summarizes activity in the reserves related to the company’s business optimization initiatives. (in millions) Reserve at December 31, 2015 $ 116 2016 charges 221 Reserve adjustments (14 ) Utilization in 2016 (164 ) Currency translation 5 Reserve at December 31, 2016 164 2017 charges 83 Reserve adjustments (19 ) Utilization in 2017 (143 ) Currency translation 27 Reserve at December 31, 2017 112 2018 charges 126 Reserve adjustments (16 ) Utilization in 2018 (99 ) Currency translation (22 ) Reserve at December 31, 2018 $ 101

DEBT, CREDIT FACILITIES AND L_2

DEBT, CREDIT FACILITIES AND LEASE COMMITMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Credit Facilities And Lease Commitments [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt Outstanding	At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the company had the following debt outstanding: as of December 31 (in millions) Effective rate in 2018 2018 1 2017 1 Variable-rate loan due 2020 1.0 % $ 302 $ 300 1.7% notes due 2021 1.9 % 398 398 2.4% notes due 2022 3.7 % 202 206 1.3% notes due in 2025 1.5 % 683 714 2.6% notes due 2026 2.7 % 745 744 7.65% debentures due 2027 7.7 % 5 5 6.625% debentures due 2028 6.7 % 98 99 6.25% notes due 2037 6.3 % 265 265 3.65% notes due 2042 3.7 % 6 6 4.5% notes due 2043 4.5 % 255 255 3.5% notes due 2046 3.6 % 439 439 Other — 77 81 Total debt and capital lease obligations 3,475 3,512 Current portion (2 ) (3 ) Long-term portion $ 3,473 $ 3,509 1 Book values include any discounts, premiums and adjustments related to hedging instruments.
Future Minimum Lease Payments and Debt Maturities	Future Minimum Lease Payments and Debt Maturities as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) Operating leases Debt and capital leases 2019 $ 122 $ 2 2020 93 304 2021 86 402 2022 71 209 2023 64 2 Thereafter 210 2,576 Total obligations and commitments 646 3,495 Discounts, premiums, and adjustments relating to hedging instruments — (20 ) Total debt and lease obligations $ 646 $ 3,475

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HE_2

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments	The following table summarizes the income statement locations and gains and losses on the company’s derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. Gain (loss) recognized in OCI Location of (loss) in Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 income statement 2018 2017 2016 Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ (3 ) $ (3 ) $ — Other (income) expense, net $ — $ — $ 9 Foreign exchange contracts 3 (24 ) 1 Cost of sales (12 ) (8 ) (3 ) Net investment hedge 32 (79 ) — Other (income) expense, net — — — Total $ 32 $ (106 ) $ 1 $ (12 ) $ (8 ) $ 6 Location of gain (loss) in income statement Gain (loss) recognized in income (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Fair value hedges Interest rate contracts Net interest expense $ (4 ) $ (3 ) $ 9 Undesignated derivative instruments Foreign exchange contracts Other (income) expense, net $ (6 ) $ (20 ) $ 4
Net of Tax Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Related to Cash Flow Hedges	The following table summarizes net-of-tax activity in AOCI, a component of stockholders’ equity, related to the company’s cash flow hedges. as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance at beginning of year $ (10 ) $ 3 $ 7 (Loss) gain in fair value of derivatives during the year (1 ) (18 ) 1 Amount reclassified to earnings during the year 10 5 (5 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance at end of year (1 ) $ (10 ) $ 3
Classification and Fair Value Amounts of Derivative Instruments	The following table summarizes the classification and fair value amounts of derivative instruments reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. Derivatives in asset positions Derivatives in liability positions (in millions) Balance sheet location Fair value Balance sheet location Fair value Derivative instruments designated as hedges Interest rate contracts Other long-term assets — Other long-term liabilities 3 Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other 22 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1 Foreign exchange contracts Other 1 Other long-term liabilities — Total derivative instruments designated as hedges $ 23 $ 4 Undesignated derivative instruments Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other $ — Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1 Total derivative instruments $ 23 $ 5 The following table summarizes the classification and fair value amounts of derivative instruments reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. Derivatives in asset positions Derivatives in liability positions (in millions) Balance sheet location Fair value Balance sheet location Fair value Derivative instruments designated as hedges Interest rate contracts Other long-term assets $ 4 Other long-term liabilities $ — Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other 14 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3 Total derivative instruments designated as hedges $ 18 $ 3 Undesignated derivative instruments Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other $ 1 Accounts payable and $ 1 Total derivative instruments $ 19 $ 4
Derivative Positions Presented on Net Basis	The following table provides information on the company’s derivative positions as if they were presented on a net basis, allowing for the right of offset by counterparty. December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in millions) Asset Liability Asset Liability Gross amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet $ 23 $ 5 $ 19 $ 4 Gross amount subject to offset in master netting arrangements not offset in the consolidated balance sheet (5 ) (5 ) (4 ) (4 ) Total $ 18 $ — $ 15 $ —

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND REL_2

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Activity Relating to Securitization Arrangement	The following is a summary of the activity relating to the arrangement. as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Sold receivables at beginning of year $ 71 $ 68 $ 81 Proceeds from sales of receivables 267 270 348 Cash collections (remitted to the owners of the receivables) (270 ) (270 ) (367 ) Effect of currency exchange rate changes (1 ) 3 6 Sold receivables at end of year $ 67 $ 71 $ 68
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table summarizes the bases used to measure financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets. Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Assets Foreign exchange contracts $ 23 $ — $ 23 $ — Marketable equity securities 3 3 — — Total assets $ 26 $ 3 $ 23 $ — Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 2 $ — $ 2 $ — Interest rate contracts 3 — 3 — Contingent payments related to acquisitions 32 — — 32 Total liabilities $ 37 $ — $ 5 $ 32 Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2017 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Assets Foreign exchange contracts $ 15 $ — $ 15 $ — Interest rate contracts 4 — 4 — Marketable equity securities 8 8 — — Total assets $ 27 $ 8 $ 19 $ — Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ — Contingent payments related to acquisitions 9 — — 9 Total liabilities $ 13 $ — $ 4 $ 9
Reconciliation of Fair Value Measurements that Use Significant Unobservable Inputs	The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which consist of contingent payments related to acquisitions. (in millions) Contingent payments Fair value as of December 31, 2016 $ 19 Additions — Payments (9 ) Net gains recognized in earnings (1 ) Fair value as of December 31, 2017 9 Additions 24 Payments (1 ) Net gains recognized in earnings — Fair value as of December 31, 2018 $ 32
Book Values and Fair Values of Financial Instruments	the following table provides the values recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and the estimated fair values. Book values Fair values as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 2 $ 3 $ 2 $ 3 Long-term debt and lease obligations 3,473 3,509 3,460 3,595
Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Measurements of Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The following table summarizes the level within the fair value hierarchy for measurements of the estimated fair values of the financial instruments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 2 $ — $ 2 $ — Long-term debt and lease obligations 3,460 — 3,460 — Total liabilities $ 3,462 $ — $ 3,462 $ — Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2017 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 3 $ — $ 3 $ — Long-term debt and lease obligations 3,595 — 3,595 — Total liabilities $ 3,598 $ — $ 3,598 $ —

STOCKHOLDERS_ EQUITY (Tables)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock Options Fair Value Assumptions	The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The weighted-average assumptions used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted during each year, along with the weighted-average grant-date fair values, were as follows: years ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Expected volatility 18 % 19 % 20 % Expected life (in years) 5.5 5.5 5.5 Risk-free interest rate 2.6 % 2.1 % 1.4 % Dividend yield 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.2 % Fair value per stock option $ 13 $ 10 $ 7
Summary of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2018. (options and aggregate intrinsic values in thousands) Options Weighted- average exercise price Weighted- average remaining contractual term (in years) Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding as of January 1, 2018 28,208 $ 39.25 Granted 4,062 $ 66.49 Exercised (5,831 ) $ 36.36 Forfeited (999 ) $ 53.25 Expired (126 ) $ 33.98 Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 25,314 $ 43.76 5.8 $ 560,657 Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2018 24,951 $ 43.51 5.8 $ 559,192 Exercisable as of December 31, 2018 16,585 $ 37.68 4.6 $ 466,851
Summary of Nonvested RSU Activity	The following table summarizes nonvested RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2018. (share units in thousands) Share units Weighted- average grant-date fair value Nonvested RSUs as of January 1, 2018 2,201 $ 45.65 Granted 629 $ 67.11 Vested (1,025 ) $ 40.43 Forfeited (194 ) $ 53.31 Nonvested RSUs as of December 31, 2018 1,611 $ 56.45
Performance Stock Units Fair Value	The assumptions used in estimating the fair value of these PSUs granted during the period, along with the grant-date fair values, were as follows: years ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Baxter volatility 19% 19% 20% Peer group volatility 16%-53% 16%-54% 17%-51% Correlation of returns 0.16-0.61 0.19-0.58 0.22-0.73 Risk-free interest rate 2.3% 1.6% 1.0% Fair value per PSU $ 90 $ 69 $ 51
Summary of Nonvested Performance Stock Unit Activity	The following table summarizes nonvested PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2018. (share units in thousands) Share units Weighted- average grant-date fair value Nonvested PSUs as of January 1, 2018 651 $ 57.08 Granted 340 $ 76.51 Vested - $ - Forfeited (78 ) $ 62.34 Nonvested PSUs as of December 31, 2018 913 $ 63.88

RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT _2

RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Pension and OPEB Plan Obligations, Assets and Funded Status	The benefit plan information in the table below pertains to all of the company’s pension and OPEB plans, both in the United States and in other countries. Pension benefits OPEB as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Benefit obligations Beginning of period $ 6,159 $ 5,717 $ 235 $ 243 Service cost 87 91 1 1 Interest cost 178 180 7 7 Participant contributions 5 5 — — Actuarial (gain) loss (431 ) 333 (14 ) 2 Benefit payments (259 ) (251 ) (18 ) (18 ) Settlements (6 ) (9 ) — — Curtailment (57 ) — — — Acquisitions — 2 — — Plan amendments — (7 ) — — Foreign exchange and other (53 ) 98 — — End of period 5,623 6,159 211 235 Fair value of plan assets Beginning of period 5,248 4,501 — — Actual return on plan assets (237 ) 708 — — Employer contributions 51 242 18 18 Participant contributions 5 5 — — Benefit payments (259 ) (251 ) (18 ) (18 ) Settlements (6 ) (9 ) — — Foreign exchange and other (33 ) 52 — — End of period 4,769 5,248 — — Funded status at December 31 $ (854 ) $ (911 ) $ (211 ) $ (235 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets Noncurrent asset $ 59 $ 65 $ — $ — Current liability (25 ) (24 ) (20 ) (19 ) Noncurrent liability (888 ) (952 ) (191 ) (216 ) Net liability recognized at December 31 $ (854 ) $ (911 ) $ (211 ) $ (235 )
Information Relating to Individual Plans in Funded Status that have ABO in Excess of Plan Assets	The following table is information relating to the individual plans in the funded status table above that have an ABO in excess of plan assets. as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 ABO $ 4,973 $ 5,398 Fair value of plan assets 4,244 4,674
Information Relating to Individual Plans in Funded Status that have PBO in Excess of Plan Assets	The following table is information relating to the individual plans in the funded status table above that have a PBO in excess of plan assets (many of which also have an ABO in excess of assets, and are therefore also included in the table directly above). as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 PBO $ 5,375 $ 5,875 Fair value of plan assets 4,461 4,899
Expected Net Pension and OPEB Plan Payments for Next 10 Years	Expected Net Pension and OPEB Plan Payments for the Next 10 Years (in millions) Pension benefits OPEB 2019 $ 259 $ 20 2020 268 18 2021 281 18 2022 291 17 2023 302 16 2024 through 2028 1,624 71 Total expected net benefit payments for next 10 years $ 3,025 $ 160
Summary of Pre-Tax losses Included in AOCI	The following table is a summary of the pre-tax losses included in AOCI at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. (in millions) Pension benefits OPEB Actuarial loss (gain) $ 1,604 $ (79 ) Prior service credit and transition obligation (10 ) (74 ) Total pre-tax loss recognized in AOCI at December 31, 2018 $ 1,594 $ (153 ) Actuarial loss (gain) $ 1,660 $ (76 ) Prior service credit and transition obligation (12 ) (88 ) Total pre-tax loss (gain) recognized in AOCI at December 31, 2017 $ 1,648 $ (164 )
Summary of Net-of-Tax Amounts Recorded in OCI Relating to Pension and OPEB Plans	The following table is a summary of the net-of-tax amounts recorded in OCI relating to pension and OPEB plans. years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($3) in 2018, $16 in 2017 and ($72) in 2016 $ (26 ) $ 50 $ (191 ) Amortization of loss to earnings, net of tax benefit of $12 in 2018, $46 in 2017 and $36 in 2016 58 91 94 Pension and other employee benefits (loss) gain $ 32 $ 141 $ (97 )
Summary of Pre-tax Amounts Expected to be Amortized to Net Periodic Benefit Cost in 2019	With respect to the AOCI balance at December 31, 2018, the following table is a summary of the pre-tax amounts expected to be amortized to net periodic benefit cost in 2019. (in millions) Pension benefits OPEB Actuarial loss/(gain) $ 63 $ (12 ) Prior service credit and transition obligation (1 ) (15 ) Total pre-tax amount expected to be amortized from AOCI to net pension and OPEB cost in 2019 $ 62 $ (27 )
Net Periodic Benefit Cost - Continuing Operations	Net Periodic Benefit Cost – Continuing Operations years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Pension benefits Service cost $ 87 $ 91 $ 93 Interest cost 178 180 183 Expected return on plan assets (304 ) (291 ) (298 ) Amortization of net losses and other deferred amounts 95 163 149 Other 1 — 2 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 57 $ 143 $ 129 OPEB Service cost $ 1 $ 1 $ 2 Interest cost 7 7 8 Amortization of net loss and prior service credit (25 ) (26 ) (19 ) Curtailment — — (4 ) Net periodic OPEB cost $ (17 ) $ (18 ) $ (13 )
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining Benefit Obligations at Measurement Date	Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining Benefit Obligations at the Measurement Date Pension benefits OPEB 2018 2017 2018 2017 Discount rate U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 4.31 % 3.62 % 4.20 % 3.51 % International plans 2.02 % 2.02 % n/a n/a Rate of compensation increase U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 3.66 % 3.65 % n/a n/a International plans 3.08 % 3.05 % n/a n/a Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost n/a n/a 7.00 % 6.25 % Rate decreased to n/a n/a 5.00 % 5.00 % by the year ended n/a n/a 2027 2023 Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining Net Periodic Benefit Cost Pension benefits OPEB 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 Discount rate U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 3.60 % 4.09 % 4.36 % 3.51 % 3.89 % 4.12 % International plans 2.02 % 2.03 % 2.60 % n/a n/a n/a Expected return on plan assets U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 6.25 % 6.50 % 7.00 % n/a n/a n/a International plans 5.58 % 5.77 % 6.07 % n/a n/a n/a Rate of compensation increase U.S. and Puerto Rico plans 3.42 % 3.75 % 3.75 % n/a n/a n/a International plans 3.05 % 3.11 % 3.37 % n/a n/a n/a Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost n/a n/a n/a 7.00 % 6.25 % 6.50 % Rate decreased to n/a n/a n/a 5.00 % 5.00 % 5.00 % by the year ended n/a n/a n/a 2027 2023 2022
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets and Liabilities	The following tables summarize the bases used to measure the pension plan assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance at December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Measured at NAV Assets Fixed income securities Cash and cash equivalents $ 144 $ 21 $ 123 $ — $ — U.S. government and government agency issues 735 — 735 — — Corporate bonds 1,126 16 1,110 — — Equity securities Common stock: Large cap 541 541 — — — Mid cap 298 298 — — — Small cap 91 91 — — — Total common stock 930 930 — — — Mutual funds 353 134 219 — — Common/collective trust funds 919 — 209 — 710 Partnership investments 390 — — — 390 Other holdings 172 11 151 10 — Collateral held on loaned securities 196 — 196 — — Liabilities Collateral to be paid on loaned securities (196 ) (34 ) (162 ) — — Fair value of pension plan assets $ 4,769 $ 1,078 $ 2,581 $ 10 $ 1,100 Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Measured at NAV Assets Fixed income securities Cash and cash equivalents $ 230 $ 12 $ 218 $ — $ — U.S. government and government agency issues 641 — 641 — — Corporate bonds 1,052 16 1,036 — — Equity securities Common stock: Large cap 711 711 — — — Mid cap 406 406 — — — Small cap 89 89 — — — Total common stock 1,206 1,206 — — — Mutual funds 390 144 246 — — Common/collective trust funds 1,174 — 217 8 949 Partnership investments 413 — — — 413 Other holdings 142 10 122 10 — Collateral held on loaned securities 193 — 193 — — Liabilities Collateral to be paid on loaned securities (193 ) (53 ) (140 ) — — Fair value of pension plan assets $ 5,248 $ 1,335 $ 2,533 $ 18 $ 1,362
Changes in Fair Value Measurements that Used Significant Unobservable Inputs	The following table is a reconciliation of changes in fair value measurements that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). (in millions) Total Common/collective trust funds Other holdings Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 16 $ 6 $ 10 Actual return on plan assets still held at year end 2 2 — Balance at December 31, 2017 18 8 10 Transfers out (8 ) (8 ) — Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 10 $ - $ 10
Funded Status Percentage of Pension Plans	The following table details the funded status percentage of the company’s pension plans as of December 31, 2018, including certain plans that are unfunded in accordance with the guidelines of the company’s funding policy outlined above. United States and Puerto Rico International as of December 31, 2018 (in millions) Qualified plans Nonqualified plan Funded plans Unfunded plans Total Fair value of plan assets $ 4,007 n/a $ 762 n/a $ 4,769 PBO 4,144 $ 207 872 $ 400 5,623 Funded status percentage 97 % n/a 87 % n/a 85 %

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in AOCI by Component	The following table is a net-of-tax summary of the changes in AOCI by component for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions) CTA Pension and other benefits Hedging activities Available- for-sale securities Total Gains (losses) Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (3,013 ) $ (981 ) $ (10 ) $ 3 $ (4,001 ) Adoption of new accounting standard — — — (3 ) (3 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (461 ) (26 ) (1 ) — (488 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI — 58 10 — 68 Net other comprehensive (loss) income (461 ) 32 9 — (420 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (3,474 ) $ (949 ) $ (1 ) $ — $ (4,424 ) (in millions) CTA Pension and other benefits Hedging activities Available- for-sale securities Total Gains (losses) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (3,438 ) $ (1,122 ) $ 3 $ 1 $ (4,556 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 396 50 (18 ) (1 ) 427 Amounts reclassified from AOCI 29 91 5 3 128 Net other comprehensive (loss) income 425 141 (13 ) 2 555 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (3,013 ) $ (981 ) $ (10 ) $ 3 $ (4,001 )
Summary of Reclassification from AOCI to Net Income	The following table is a summary of the gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to net income during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Amounts reclassified from AOCI (a) (in millions) 2018 2017 Location of impact in income statement Translation adjustments Loss on Venezuela deconsolidation $ — $ (29 ) Other (income) expense, net — (29 ) Total before tax — — Income tax expense (benefit) $ — $ (29 ) Net of tax Amortization of pension and other employee benefits items Actuarial losses and other (b) $ (70 ) $ (137 ) Other (income) expense, net (70 ) (137 ) Total before tax 12 46 Income tax expense (benefit) $ (58 ) $ (91 ) Net of tax Gains (losses) on hedging activities Foreign exchange contracts $ (12 ) $ (8 ) Cost of sales (12 ) (8 ) Total before tax 2 3 Income tax expense (benefit) $ (10 ) $ (5 ) Net of tax Available-for-sale securities Other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities $ — $ (5 ) Other (income) expense, net — (5 ) Total before tax — 2 Income tax expense (benefit) $ — $ (3 ) Net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ (68 ) $ (128 ) Total net of tax (a) Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to net income. (b) These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost disclosed in Note 14.

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Before Income Tax Expense by Category	Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense by Category years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 United States $ 16 $ (291 ) $ 3,906 International 1,677 1,508 1,048 Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,693 $ 1,217 $ 4,954
Income Tax Expense	Income Tax Expense Related to Continuing Operations years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Current United States Federal $ 21 $ 8 $ 10 State and local (1 ) 18 (3 ) International 310 273 282 Current income tax expense 330 299 289 Deferred United States Federal (234 ) 233 (286 ) State and local - (7 ) 3 International (33 ) (32 ) (18 ) Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (267 ) 194 (301 ) Income tax expense (benefit) $ 63 $ 493 $ (12 )
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets Accrued expenses $ 232 $ 269 Retirement benefits 222 248 Tax credits and net operating losses 862 834 Valuation allowances (305 ) (483 ) Total deferred tax assets 1,011 868 Deferred tax liabilities Subsidiaries’ unremitted earnings 43 35 Asset basis differences 712 705 Total deferred tax liabilities 755 740 Net deferred tax asset $ 256 $ 128
Income Tax Expense Reconciliation	Income Tax Expense Related to Continuing Operations Reconciliation years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Income tax expense at U.S. statutory rate $ 356 $ 424 $ 1,734 Retained shares tax free exchange gains — — (1,587 ) Tax incentives (161 ) (140 ) (126 ) State and local taxes 5 (6 ) 1 Foreign tax expense (benefit) 105 (82 ) — Contingent tax matters 10 (1 ) (48 ) Deferred tax revaluation due to 2017 Tax Act (8 ) (283 ) — Transition tax due to 2017 Tax Act (5 ) 529 — U.S. valuation allowance due to 2017 Tax Act (194 ) 339 — Stock options windfall tax benefits (40 ) (56 ) — Foreign tax credits generated — (246 ) — Other factors (5 ) 15 14 Income tax expense (benefit) $ 63 $ 493 $ (12 )
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following table is a reconciliation of the company’s unrecognized tax benefits, including those related to discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. as of and for the years ended (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of the year $ 108 $ 82 $ 191 Increase associated with tax positions taken during the current year 32 33 7 Increase (decrease) associated with tax positions taken during a prior year 13 2 (31 ) Settlements (5 ) (6 ) (75 ) Decrease associated with lapses in statutes of limitations (21 ) (3 ) (10 ) Balance at end of the year $ 127 $ 108 $ 82

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Financial information for the company’s segments is as follows: for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Net sales Americas $ 5,959 $ 5,720 $ 5,437 EMEA 2,961 2,731 2,697 APAC 2,207 2,110 2,029 Total net sales $ 11,127 $ 10,561 $ 10,163 Operating income Americas $ 2,412 $ 2,234 $ 2,078 EMEA 674 564 476 APAC 538 512 464 Total segment operating income $ 3,624 $ 3,310 $ 3,018 Depreciation Expense Americas $ 222 $ 224 $ 217 EMEA 176 166 178 APAC 96 85 86 Corporate and other 119 132 151 Total depreciation expense $ 613 $ 607 $ 632 Capital expenditures Americas $ 291 $ 267 $ 332 EMEA 161 161 140 APAC 128 96 103 Corporate and other 134 101 116 Total capital expenditures $ 714 $ 625 $ 691
Operating Income to Income from Continuing Operations Reconciliation	The following table is a reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes per the consolidated statements of income. for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Total segment operating income $ 3,624 $ 3,310 $ 3,018 Corporate and other (2,025 ) (2,019 ) (2,273 ) Total operating income 1,599 1,291 745 Net interest expense 45 55 66 Other (income) expense, net (139 ) 19 (4,275 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,693 $ 1,217 $ 4,954
Net Sales by GBU	The following table represents net sales by GBU. years ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Renal Care 1 3,662 3,480 3,421 Medication Delivery 2 2,669 2,698 2,596 Pharmaceuticals 3 2,092 1,883 1,722 Clinical Nutrition 4 877 882 858 Advanced Surgery 5 800 707 690 Acute Therapies 6 517 456 429 Other ⁷ 510 455 447 Total Baxter $ 11,127 $ 10,561 $ 10,163 1 Renal Care includes sales of the company’s peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD) and additional dialysis therapies and services. 2 Medication Delivery includes sales of the company’s IV therapies, infusion pumps, administration sets and drug reconstitution devices. 3 Pharmaceuticals includes of the company’s premixed and oncology drug platforms, inhaled anesthesia and critical care products and pharmacy compounding services. 4 Clinical Nutrition includes sales of the company’s parenteral nutrition (PN) therapies and related products. 5 Advanced Surgery includes sales of the company’s biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasis, tissue sealing and adhesion prevention. ⁶ Acute Therapies includes sales of the company’s continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) and other organ support therapies focused in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⁷ Other includes sales primarily from the company’s pharmaceutical partnering business.
Geographic Information	Geographic information for the years ended December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 2016 Net sales United States $ 4,723 $ 4,510 $ 4,259 Latin America and Canada 1,236 1,210 1,178 Total Americas $ 5,959 $ 5,720 $ 5,437 EMEA 2,961 2,731 2,697 APAC 2,207 2,110 2,029 Total net sales $ 11,127 $ 10,561 $ 10,163 as of December 31 (in millions) 2018 2017 PP&E, net United States $ 1,755 $ 1,772 EMEA 1,222 1,268 APAC 898 903 Latin America and Canada 667 645 Consolidated PP&E, net $ 4,542 $ 4,588

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS A_2

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS AND MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S STOCK (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Results and Market for Company's Stock	years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share data) First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Full year 2018 Net sales $ 2,677 $ 2,842 $ 2,767 $ 2,841 $ 11,127 Gross margin 1 1,114 1,239 1,236 1,192 4,781 Income from continuing operations 1 389 343 544 354 1,630 Income from continuing operations per common share 1 Basic 0.72 0.64 1.02 0.67 3.05 Diluted 0.71 0.63 1.00 0.66 2.99 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 1 — — — (6 ) (6 ) Loss from discontinued operations per common share Basic 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.01 ) (0.01 ) Diluted 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.01 ) (0.02 ) Net income 1 389 343 544 348 1,624 Net income per common share 1 Basic 0.72 0.64 1.02 0.66 3.04 Diluted 0.71 0.63 1.00 0.65 2.97 Cash dividends declared per common share 0.160 0.190 0.190 0.190 0.730 Market price per common share High 72.26 75.41 77.75 77.80 77.80 Low 62.56 63.43 70.71 61.45 61.45 2017 Net sales $ 2,475 $ 2,605 $ 2,707 $ 2,774 $ 10,561 Gross margin 2 1,044 1,132 1,130 1,164 4,470 Income (loss) from continuing operations 2 273 264 248 (61 ) 724 Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share 2 Basic 0.50 0.49 0.46 (0.11 ) 1.33 Diluted 0.50 0.48 0.45 (0.11 ) 1.30 (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (1 ) 1 3 (10 ) (7 ) (Loss) income from discontinued operations per common share Basic 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.02 ) (0.01 ) Diluted (0.01 ) 0.00 0.00 (0.02 ) (0.01 ) Net income (loss) 2 272 265 251 (71 ) 717 Net income (loss) per common share 2 Basic 0.50 0.49 0.46 (0.13 ) 1.32 Diluted 0.49 0.48 0.45 (0.13 ) 1.29 Cash dividends declared per common share 0.130 0.160 0.160 0.160 0.610 Market price per common share High 52.30 61.38 64.61 66.05 66.05 Low 44.44 52.29 59.50 61.45 44.44 1 2

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Nature of Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018Segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of segments	3

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 16, 2018USD ($)Product	Jul. 27, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Mar. 31, 2016 / $	Dec. 31, 2015 / $
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired				$ 268,000,000	$ 686,000,000	$ 48,000,000
Number of outstanding shares of Baxter common stock acquired in exchange | shares						11,526,638
Pre-tax charge recorded due to deconsolidation					(33,000,000)
Hurricane Maria
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Pre-tax charges related to damages caused by hurricane					32,000,000
Insurance recoveries				0
Impairment of Damaged Inventory and Fixed Assets | Hurricane Maria
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Pre-tax charges related to damages caused by hurricane					11,000,000
Idle Facility and Other Costs | Hurricane Maria
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Pre-tax charges related to damages caused by hurricane					21,000,000
Asset Impairments and Idle Facility and Other Costs | Hurricane Maria
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Insurance recoveries				$ 42,000,000
Devaluation of Venezuelan Bolivar
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Description of change in exchange rate system				In the first quarter of 2016, the Venezuelan government moved from the three-tier exchange rate system to a two-tiered exchange rate system and the official rate for food and medicine imports was adjusted from 6.3 to 10 bolivars per U.S. dollar.
Official rate for food and medicine imports per U.S. dollar | / $							10	6.3
Description of control and deconsolidation				Due to a decline in transactions settled at the official rate or the secondary rate and limitations on the company’s ability to repatriate funds generated by its Venezuela operations, the company concluded in the second quarter of 2017 that it no longer met the accounting criteria for control over its business in Venezuela and the company deconsolidated its Venezuelan operations on June 30, 2017.
Devaluation of Venezuelan Bolivar | Other (Income) Expense
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Pre-tax charge recorded due to deconsolidation					$ 33,000,000
U.S.
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contribution of Retained Shares to pension plan | shares						17,145,570
Spinoff
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest disposed						19.50%
Extinguishment of debt						$ 3,650,000,000
Spinoff
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding common stock distributed			80.50%
Mallinckrodt plc | RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of products acquired | Product	2
Total consideration	$ 184,000,000
Claris Injectables Limited
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership acquired		100.00%
Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired		$ 629,000,000

Summary of Significant Accoun_6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations	$ 8,400,000,000
Net trade accounts receivable	1,700,000,000	$ 1,700,000,000
Contract assets	80,000,000	73,000,000
Contract liabilities	0	0
Accounts and Other Current Receivables, Net
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contract assets	50,000,000
Other
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contract assets	30,000,000
Manufacturing Arrangements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contract assets	33,000,000	31,000,000
Software Arrangements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contract assets	$ 47,000,000	$ 42,000,000
Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amortization period for cost incurred to obtain contract	1 year
Contract with customer period for goods or service transfers and customer pays for goods or service	1 year
Maximum | Manufacturing Arrangements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Revenue recognized contract period	90 days
Maximum | Software Arrangements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Revenue recognized contract period	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Software Arrangements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Revenue recognized contract period	1 year

Summary of Significant Accoun_7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition - Additional Information1 (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2019-01-01
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Remaining revenue performance obligation, percentage of revenue expected to be recognized	20.00%
Remaining performance obligations period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2020-01-01
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Remaining revenue performance obligation, percentage of revenue expected to be recognized	20.00%
Remaining performance obligations period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2021-01-01
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Remaining revenue performance obligation, percentage of revenue expected to be recognized	20.00%
Remaining performance obligations period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-01-01
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Remaining revenue performance obligation, percentage of revenue expected to be recognized	20.00%
Remaining performance obligations period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2023-01-01
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Remaining revenue performance obligation, percentage of revenue expected to be recognized	15.00%
Remaining performance obligations period	1 year

Summary of Significant Accoun_8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 110	$ 120

Inventories (Detail)

Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 363	$ 347
Work in process	203	116
Finished goods	1,087	1,012
Inventories	$ 1,653	$ 1,475

Property, Plant and Equipment ,

Property, Plant and Equipment ,Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 10,327	$ 10,148
Accumulated depreciation	(5,785)	(5,560)
Property, plant and equipment (PP&E), net	4,542	4,588
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	142	144
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,698	1,687
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	6,331	6,220
Equipment with customers
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,457	1,403
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 699	$ 694

Summary of Significant Accoun_9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 613	$ 607	$ 632
Accelerated depreciation related to business optimization and separation costs	$ 9	10	33
ERP Software
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	2,020
Reduction of depreciation expense	$ 24
Increase in net income	$ 20
Incraese in diluted share	$ 0.04
Minimum | Building and Building Improvements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Minimum | Machinery and equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Maximum | Building and Building Improvements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	50 years
Maximum | Machinery and equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	15 years
Maximum | ERP Software
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	2,028
Business Optimization and Separation Costs | Baxalta Inc
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation related to business optimization and separation costs	$ 9	$ 18	$ 48

Summary of Significant Accou_10

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Shipping and Handling Costs - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Shipping costs included in marketing and administrative expenses	$ 329	$ 291	$ 311

Summary of Significant Accou_11

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Tax position likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement	Greater than 50%

Summary of Significant Accou_12

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - New Accounting Standards - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2019	Jan. 01, 2018
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Retained earnings, adjustment	$ 15,626				$ 14,483				$ 15,626	$ 14,483
Net sales	$ 2,841	$ 2,767	$ 2,842	$ 2,677	$ 2,774	$ 2,707	$ 2,605	$ 2,475	11,127	10,561	$ 10,163
Measurement period adjustments									207
ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Retained earnings, adjustment													$ (66)
Increase in net income									14
ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers | Adjustments
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Retained earnings, adjustment													$ 45
Net sales									7
ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in operating income									(48)	33	21
Increase (decrease) in other (income) expense, net									48	(33)	(21)
ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Windfall tax benefits recognized in net income and operating cash flow									$ 40	$ 56
Windfall tax benefits											$ 39
Maximum | Subsequent Event | ASU 2016-02, Leases
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Increase in assets and liabilities to total assets percentage												5.00%

Separation of Baxalta Incorpo_3

Separation of Baxalta Incorporated - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash flows from operations – discontinued operations			$ (16)	$ 30
Transition Services Agreement
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Reduction in marketing and administrative expense		$ 9	56	101
Distribution date		2018-07
Transition Services Agreement | Minimum | Manufacturing and supply agreement (MSA)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
The termination of service period		5 years
Transition Services Agreement | Maximum | Manufacturing and supply agreement (MSA)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
The termination of service period		10 years
Spinoff | Transition Services Agreement | Manufacturing and supply agreement (MSA)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 29	22	39
Cost of sales		$ 152	170	189
Baxalta Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash flows from operations – discontinued operations			(16)	30
Baxalta Inc | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-disposition
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net assets	$ 4,100			161
Separation related adjustments			34	18
Pre-tax gain on disposal of discontinued operations			2	19
Net sales			7	148
Cost of sales			$ 5	$ 139
Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding common stock distributed	80.50%
Percentage of common stock retained	19.50%
Common stock, shares outstanding	131,902,719
Record date for distribution	Jun. 17, 2015
Shares issued for each share held	1

Summary of Operating Results Wh

Summary of Operating Results Which Have Been Reflected As Discontinued Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations	$ (6)	$ (10)	$ 3	$ 1	$ (1)	$ (6)	$ (7)	$ (1)
Baxalta Inc | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-disposition
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales							7	148
Cost of sales							(5)	(139)
Marketing and administrative expenses							(1)	(20)
Other (expense) income						(13)		1
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes						(13)	1	(10)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations							2	19
Income tax expense (benefit)						(7)		10
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations						$ (6)	$ 3	$ (1)

Prepaid Expenses and Other (Det

Prepaid Expenses and Other (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Prepaid expenses and other
Prepaid value added taxes	$ 130	$ 134
Prepaid income taxes	79	99
Other	413	368
Prepaid expenses and other	$ 622	$ 601

Other Long-Term Assets (Detail)

Other Long-Term Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Deferred income taxes	$ 461	$ 408
Other long-term receivables	173	187
All other	190	192
Other long-term assets	$ 824	$ 787

Accounts Payable and Accrued Li

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current
Accounts payable, principally trade	$ 1,004	$ 920
Common stock dividends payable	101	87
Employee compensation and withholdings	485	548
Property, payroll and certain other taxes	130	143
Business optimization reserves	90	100
Accrued rebates	193	218
All other	725	717
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 2,728	$ 2,733

Other Long-Term Liabilities (De

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Noncurrent
Pension and other employee benefits	$ 1,113	$ 1,211
Deferred tax liabilities	205	280
Litigation reserves	28	27
Business optimization reserves	11	12
All other	159	135
Other long-term liabilities	$ 1,516	$ 1,665

Net Interest Expense (Detail)

Net Interest Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest Income Expense Net
Interest costs	$ 105	$ 98	$ 107
Interest costs capitalized	(12)	(13)	(18)
Interest expense	93	85	89
Interest income	(48)	(30)	(23)
Net interest expense	$ 45	$ 55	$ 66

Other (Income) Expense, net (De

Other (Income) Expense, net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Income, net
Foreign exchange	$ (73)	$ (50)	$ (28)
Net loss on debt extinguishment			153
Net realized gains on Retained Shares transaction			(4,387)
Gain on sale of investments and other assets	(6)	(3)	(3)
Saudi Arabia joint venture gain	(24)
Venezuela deconsolidation		33
Pension and other postemployment benefit plans	(48)	33	21
All other	12	6	(31)
Other (income) expense, net	$ (139)	$ 19	$ (4,275)

Reconciliation of Basic Shares

Reconciliation of Basic Shares to Diluted Shares (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of Basic Shares to Diluted Shares
Basic shares	534	543	546
Effect of dilutive securities	12	12	5
Diluted shares	546	555	551

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of EPS	3	2

Acquisitions and Other Arrang_3

Acquisitions and Other Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)

Mar. 16, 2018USD ($)Product

Jul. 27, 2017USD ($)

Nov. 30, 2018USD ($)

Feb. 22, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired

$ 268,000,000

$ 686,000,000

$ 48,000,000

Net sales

$ 2,841,000,000

$ 2,767,000,000

$ 2,842,000,000

$ 2,677,000,000

$ 2,774,000,000

$ 2,707,000,000

$ 2,605,000,000

$ 2,475,000,000

11,127,000,000

10,561,000,000

10,163,000,000

Integration costs

26,000,000

Other (income) expense, net

24,000,000

Development and regulatory milestone payments, maximum

34,000,000

34,000,000

Claris Injectables Limited

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Percentage of ownership acquired

100.00%

Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired

$ 629,000,000

Measurement period adjustments, increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

1,000,000

Measurement period adjustments, reduction in property, plant and equipment

2,000,000

Measurement period adjustments, increase in other long-term liabilities

2,000,000

Measurement period adjustments, increase (decreae) in goodwill

$ 5,000,000

Net sales

140,000,000

57,000,000

Amount allocated from total consideration to acquire intangible assets

280,000,000

Business acquisition settlement claims received

$ 73,000,000

Accrued liabilities released

$ 7,000,000

Business acquisition benefit of settlement claims and accrued liabilities released

(80,000,000)

Claris Injectables Limited | IPR&D

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Amount allocated from total consideration to acquire in-process research and development with indefinite useful life

$ 140,000,000

Claris Injectables Limited | IPR&D | Measurement Input Discount Rate

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Discount rate used to measure intangible assets

0.13

Claris Injectables Limited | Developed Technology

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Amount allocated from total consideration to acquire intangible assets

$ 140,000,000

Acquired intangible assets, weighted-average useful life

8 years

Claris Injectables Limited | Developed Technology | Measurement Input Discount Rate

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Discount rate used to measure intangible assets

0.12

Claris Injectables Limited | Marketing and Administrative Expenses

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Acquisition costs

33,000,000

28,000,000

Integration costs

33,000,000

28,000,000

Mallinckrodt plc

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Net sales

$ 52,000,000

Type of revenue [Extensible list]

bax:RecothromAndPreveleakMember

Mallinckrodt plc | RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Acquisition costs

$ 17,000,000

Integration costs

17,000,000

Amount allocated from total consideration to acquire intangible assets

$ 100,000,000

Acquired intangible assets, weighted-average useful life

10 years

Number of products acquired | Product

2

Purchase price, upfront payment

163,000,000

Maximum contingent future payments

$ 21,000,000

Maximum aggregate amount payable for the inventory

7,000,000

Maximum aggregate amount payable for technology transfer

15,000,000

Maximum aggregate amount payable for royalties revenue net

143,000,000

Total consideration transferred

$ 184,000,000

Mallinckrodt plc | Measurement Input Discount Rate | RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK | Minimum

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Discount rate used to measure intangible assets

0.125

Mallinckrodt plc | Measurement Input Discount Rate | RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK | Maximum

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Discount rate used to measure intangible assets

0.13

Saudi Arabia Joint Venture

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Amount allocated from total consideration to acquire intangible assets

$ 40,000,000

Percentage of ownership acquired

51.00%

Other (income) expense, net

24,000,000

Fair value of equity interest on acquisition

$ 39,000,000

Percentage of common stock retained

49.00%

Estimated noncontrolling interest in joint venture

$ 39,000,000

Total consideration transferred

80,000,000

Saudi Arabia Joint Venture | Level 3

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Fair value of equity interest on acquisition

39,000,000

Saudi Arabia Joint Venture | Reacquired License Rights

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Reacquired license rights fair value total

$ 10,000,000

Estimated useful lives

12 years

Saudi Arabia Joint Venture | Reacquired License Rights | Measurement Input Discount Rate

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Discount rate used to measure intangible assets

0.13

Saudi Arabia Joint Venture | Customer Relationship

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets, weighted-average useful life

10 years

Saudi Arabia Joint Venture | Customer Relationship | Measurement Input Discount Rate

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Discount rate used to measure intangible assets

0.14

Other Acquisition

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Total consideration transferred

36,000,000

16,000,000

4,000,000

Celerity Pharmaceutical LLC

Acquisitions And Collaborations [Line Items]

Maximum contingent future payments

$ 163,000,000

$ 163,000,000

Estimated useful lives

12 years

Payment to acquire the rights

$ 72,000,000

$ 20,000,000

$ 23,000,000

Acquisitions and Other Arrang_4

Acquisitions and Other Arrangements - Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Nov. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 27, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill	$ 2,958		$ 3,099		$ 2,595
Claris Injectables Limited
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash				$ 11
Accounts and other current receivables				16
Inventories				30
Prepaid expenses and other				16
Property, plant and equipment				130
Goodwill				296
Other intangible assets				280
Other				20
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities				(23)
Other long-term liabilities				(136)
Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed				$ 640
Saudi Arabia Joint Venture
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash		$ 4
Accounts and other current receivables		25
Inventories		8
Property, plant and equipment		12
Goodwill		17
Other intangible assets		40
Other		2
Short-term debt		(4)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(16)
Other long-term liabilities		(8)
Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed		80
Short-term debt		$ (4)

Acquisitions and Other Arrang_5

Acquisitions and Other Arrangements - Schedule of Total Consideration (Detail) - Mallinckrodt plc - RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK $ in Millions	Mar. 16, 2018USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	$ 163
Contingent consideration	21
Total consideration	$ 184

Acquisitions and Other Arrang_6

Acquisitions and Other Arrangements - Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 16, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets acquired
Goodwill	$ 2,958		$ 3,099	$ 2,595
Mallinckrodt plc | RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK
Assets acquired
Accounts receivable		$ 2
Inventories		80
Goodwill		2
Other intangible assets		100
Total assets acquired		$ 184

Acquisitions and Other Arrang_7

Acquisitions and Other Arrangements - Schedule of Fair Value Consideration Transferred (Detail) - Saudi Arabia Joint Venture $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2018USD ($)
Consideration transferred
Cash	$ 2
Fair value of equity interest on acquisition	39
Noncontrolling interest	39
Total consideration	$ 80

Goodwill (Detail)

Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 3,099	$ 2,595
Additions	33	303
Currency translation and other adjustments	(174)	201
Goodwill, ending balance	2,958	3,099
Americas
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	2,474	2,071
Additions	16	242
Currency translation and other adjustments	(139)	161
Goodwill, ending balance	2,351	2,474
EMEA
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	392	329
Additions	17	38
Currency translation and other adjustments	(22)	25
Goodwill, ending balance	387	392
APAC
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	233	195
Additions		23
Currency translation and other adjustments	(13)	15
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 220	$ 233

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Other Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	$ 0
Intangible asset amortization expense	169,000,000	$ 154,000,000	$ 163,000,000
Anticipated annual amortization expense of other intangible assets for 2019	172,000,000
Anticipated annual amortization expense of other intangible assets for 2020	167,000,000
Anticipated annual amortization expense of other intangible assets for 2021	161,000,000
Anticipated annual amortization expense of other intangible assets for 2022	157,000,000
Anticipated annual amortization expense of other intangible assets for 2023	$ 145,000,000
Impairment of intangible assets			51,000,000
Developed Technology Asset
Goodwill And Other Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets			41,000,000
In-Process Research and Development Asset (IPR&D)
Goodwill And Other Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible asset			$ 27,000,000

Other Intangible Assets, Net (D

Other Intangible Assets, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross other intangible assets	$ 2,754	$ 2,609
Accumulated amortization	(1,356)	(1,235)
Other intangible assets, net	1,398	1,374
Developed technology, including patents
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross other intangible assets	2,115	2,002
Accumulated amortization	(1,106)	(1,010)
Other intangible assets, net	1,009	992
Other amortized intangible assets
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross other intangible assets	451	435
Accumulated amortization	(250)	(225)
Other intangible assets, net	201	210
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangible assets	$ 188	$ 172

Infusion Pump Charges - Additio

Infusion Pump Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - SIGMA Spectrum Infusion Pump - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2018
Infusion Pump Charges [Line Items]
Infusion pump and other product-related charges	$ 22			$ 93
Infusion Pump Reserve					$ 6
Cash reserves utilized		$ 22	$ 13	$ 4
Infusion pump charges related to cash		11	26
Infusion pump charges related asset impairments		1	$ 10
Non-cash reserves utilized		$ 3

Business Optimization Charges -

Business Optimization Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative pre-tax costs incurred	$ 796,000,000
Expected additional pre-tax cash costs	75,000,000
Expected capital expenditures	50,000,000
Additional business optimization charges, net			$ 125,000,000
Business optimization charges non-cash percentage			40.00%
Business optimization anticipated additional costs to be incurred		$ 0
Restructuring charges	117,000,000	70,000,000	$ 285,000,000
Costs to implement business optimization programs	94,000,000	89,000,000	65,000,000
Accelerated depreciation	9,000,000	10,000,000	33,000,000
VIVIA Home Hemodialysis Development Program
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			54,000,000
Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	116,000,000	78,000,000	194,000,000
Employee Termination Costs | Global Workforce Reduction Program
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	100,000,000	59,000,000	180,000,000
Asset Impairment Related to Facility Closure Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	7,000,000	6,000,000
Other exit costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	10,000,000	5,000,000
Other exit costs | VIVIA Home Hemodialysis Development Program
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			2,000,000
Asset Impairment
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	7,000,000	6,000,000	78,000,000
Asset Impairment | In-process research and development (IPR&D) | Renal
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			27,000,000
Asset Impairment | VIVIA Home Hemodialysis Development Program
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			31,000,000
Contract termination costs | VIVIA Home Hemodialysis Development Program
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			21,000,000
Severance and Other Employee Related Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	126,000,000	83,000,000	221,000,000
Restructuring reserves	101,000,000	$ 112,000,000	$ 164,000,000	$ 116,000,000
Severance and Other Employee Related Costs | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves	90,000,000
Severance and Other Employee Related Costs | Other Long-term Liabilities
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves	$ 11,000,000

Business Optimization Charges_2

Business Optimization Charges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring charges, net	$ 117	$ 70	$ 285
Costs to implement business optimization programs	94	89	65
Gambro integration costs			26
Accelerated depreciation	9	10	33
Total business optimization charges	$ 220	$ 169	$ 409

Components of Restructuring Cos

Components of Restructuring Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 117	$ 70	$ 285
Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	116	78	194
Reserve adjustments	(16)	(19)	(14)
Contract Termination and Other Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	10	5	27
Asset Impairments
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	7	6	78
Cost of Goods Sold
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	35	27	118
Cost of Goods Sold | Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	38	31	72
Reserve adjustments	(8)	(9)	(1)
Cost of Goods Sold | Contract Termination and Other Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	4		9
Cost of Goods Sold | Asset Impairments
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1	5	38
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	63	45	103
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	57	47	109
Reserve adjustments	(6)	(8)	(11)
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Contract Termination and Other Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	6	5	5
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Asset Impairments
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	6	1
Research and Development Expenses
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	19	(2)	64
Research and Development Expenses | Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	21		13
Reserve adjustments	$ (2)	$ (2)	(2)
Research and Development Expenses | Contract Termination and Other Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			13
Research and Development Expenses | Asset Impairments
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			$ 40

Summary of Activity in Reserves

Summary of Activity in Reserves related to Business Optimization Initiatives (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	$ 117	$ 70	$ 285
Severance and Other Employee Related Costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Reserve, beginning balance	112	164	116
Charges	126	83	221
Reserve adjustments	(16)	(19)	(14)
Utilization	(99)	(143)	(164)
Currency translation	(22)	27	5
Reserve, ending balance	$ 101	$ 112	$ 164

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (D

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 3,475	$ 3,512
Current portion	[1]	(2)	(3)
Long-term portion	[1]	$ 3,473	3,509
Variable-rate loan due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		1.00%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 302	300
1.7% notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		1.90%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 398	398
2.4% notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		3.70%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 202	206
1.3% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		1.50%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 683	714
2.6% notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		2.70%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 745	744
7.65% Debentures due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		7.70%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 5	5
6.625% Debentures due 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		6.70%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 98	99
6.25% notes due 2037
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		6.30%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 265	265
3.65% Notes due 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		3.70%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 6	6
4.5% notes due 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		4.50%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 255	255
3.5% notes due 2046
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Interest Rate		3.60%
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 439	439
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	$ 77	$ 81
[1]	Book values include any discounts, premiums and adjustments related to hedging instruments.

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (P

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2018
1.7% notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	1.70%
2.4% notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	2.40%
1.3% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	1.30%
2.6% notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	2.60%
6.625% Debentures due 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	6.625%
7.65% Debentures due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	7.65%
6.25% notes due 2037
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	6.25%
3.65% Notes due 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	3.65%
4.5% notes due 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	4.50%
3.5% notes due 2046
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	3.50%

Debt, Credit Facilities and L_3

Debt, Credit Facilities and Lease Commitments - Additional information (Detail)	Mar. 16, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 27, 2016USD ($)	May 31, 2017EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018EUR (€)
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes | €			€ 600,000,000
Higher rate of debt maturity periods			May 2,025
Loss on extinguishment of debt							$ 153,000,000
Net realized gains on the Retained Share transactions							4,387,000,000
Fees under the credit facilities					0.10%
Operating lease rent expense					$ 153,000,000	$ 154,000,000	174,000,000
Domestic Line of Credit
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Drawing		$ 1,450,000,000
Line of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding		$ 1,800,000,000			0	0
Net realized gains on the Retained Share transactions							1,250,000,000
Credit facility maximum capacity					$ 1,500,000,000
Credit facility maturity date					2,020
Foreign Line of Credit
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding					$ 0	0
Credit facility maximum capacity | €								€ 200,000,000
Credit facility maturity date					2,020
Other Line Of Credit
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding					$ 0	0
Credit facility maximum capacity					$ 206,000,000	$ 134,000,000
Senior Notes
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Payments to redeem senior notes				$ 1,000,000,000
Senior Notes | Other income, net
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt							52,000,000
Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt							101,000,000
Net realized gains on the Retained Share transactions							$ 2,000,000,000
Tender offer date					Mar. 16, 2016
Principal amount of notes exchanged for Retained Share	$ 2,200,000,000
1.30% Senior Notes due May 2025
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes | €			€ 600,000,000
Senior notes, coupon rates			1.30%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					May 2,025
1.850% Senior Notes due 2017
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates				1.85%
1.850% Senior Notes due 2018
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates				1.85%
5.375% Senior Notes due 2018
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates				5.375%
4.500% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates				4.50%
4.250% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates				4.25%
3.200% Senior Notes due 2023
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates				3.20%
0.950% notes due 2016 | Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	0.95%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					May 2,016
5.900% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2016 | Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	5.90%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					August 2,016
1.850% Notes due 2017 | Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	1.85%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					January 2,017
5.375% notes due 2018 | Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	5.375%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					May 2,018
1.850% notes due 2018 | Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	1.85%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					June 2,018
4.500% notes due 2019 | Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	4.50%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					August 2,019
4.250% notes due 2020 | Debt Tender Offer
Debt and Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes, coupon rates	4.25%
Higher rate of debt maturity periods					February 2,020

Future Minimum Lease Payments a

Future Minimum Lease Payments and Debt Maturities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Credit Facilities And Lease Commitments [Abstract]
2,019		$ 122
2,020		93
2,021		86
2,022		71
2,023		64
Thereafter		210
Total obligations and commitments		646
Total debt and lease obligations		646
2,019		2
2,020		304
2,021		402
2,022		209
2,023		2
Thereafter		2,576
Total obligations and commitments		3,495
Discounts, premiums, and adjustments relating to hedging instruments		(20)
Total debt and lease obligations	[1]	$ 3,475	$ 3,512
[1]	Book values include any discounts, premiums and adjustments related to hedging instruments.

Derivative Instruments and He_3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Senior notes | €	€ 600
Higher rate of debt maturity periods	May 2,025
Terminated fair value hedges				$ 0
Terminated interest rate contract		$ 765,000,000
Gain on termination of interest rate contract		$ 34,000,000
Gain (loss) on hedged item in fair value hedge			$ 4,000,000	3,000,000	$ 9,000,000
Deferred, net after-tax gains on derivative instruments			3,000,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount			0	0	$ 0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount			485,000,000	885,000,000
Net investment hedge
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Accumulated pre-tax unrealized translation losses in AOCI related to euro-denominated senior notes			47,000,000
Foreign exchange contract
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount			$ 775,000,000	660,000,000
Maximum length of time hedge in cash flow hedge			15 months
Interest rate contract
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount			$ 150,000,000	0
Maximum length of time hedge in cash flow hedge			30 years
Interest rate contract | Fair value hedges
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount			$ 0	$ 200,000,000

Summary of Gains and Losses on

Summary of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI	$ 32	$ (106)	$ 1
Gains (losses) on hedging activities reclassified from AOCI to net income, before tax	(12)	(8)	6
Gain (loss) recognized in income, fair value hedges	4	3	9
Other (income) expense, net | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income, undesignated derivative instruments	(6)	(20)	4
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contract
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI	(3)	(3)
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contract | Other (income) expense, net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on hedging activities reclassified from AOCI to net income, before tax			9
Cash Flow Hedges | Foreign exchange contract
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI	3	(24)	1
Cash Flow Hedges | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Cost of Goods Sold
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on hedging activities reclassified from AOCI to net income, before tax	(12)	(8)	(3)
Net investment hedge
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI	32	(79)
Fair value hedges | Net Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income, fair value hedges	$ (4)	$ (3)	$ 9

Net of Tax Activity in Accumula

Net of Tax Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Related to Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedging activities, Beginning Balance	$ (10)	$ 3	$ 7
Amount reclassified to earnings during the year	10	5	(5)
Hedging activities, Ending Balance	(1)	(10)	3
Continuing Operations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
(Loss) gain in fair value of derivatives during the year	$ (1)	$ (18)	$ 1

Classification and Fair Value A

Classification and Fair Value Amounts of Derivative Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset, fair value	$ 23	$ 19
Derivative liability, fair value	5	4
Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset, fair value	23	18
Derivative liability, fair value	4	3
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate contract | Other Long-Term Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset, fair value		4
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate contract | Other Long-term Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, fair value	3
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange contract | Prepaid expenses and other
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset, fair value	22	14
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange contract | Other
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset, fair value	1
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange contract | Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, fair value	1	3
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange contract | Prepaid expenses and other
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset, fair value		1
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange contract | Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, fair value	$ 1	$ 1

Derivative Positions Presented

Derivative Positions Presented On Net Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet, Asset	$ 23	$ 19
Gross amount subject to offset in master netting arrangements not offset in the consolidated balance sheet, Asset	(5)	(4)
Total, Asset	18	15
Gross amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet, Liability	5	4
Gross amount subject to offset in master netting arrangements not offset in the consolidated balance sheet, Liability	$ (5)	$ (4)

Summary of Activity Relating to

Summary of Activity Relating to Arrangement (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Sold receivables at beginning of year	$ 71	$ 68	$ 81
Proceeds from sales of receivables	267	270	348
Cash collections (remitted to the owners of the receivables)	(270)	(270)	(367)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes	(1)	3	6
Sold receivables at end of year	$ 67	$ 71	$ 68

Financial Instruments and Rel_3

Financial Instruments and Related Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financial Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,832	$ 3,394	$ 2,801	$ 2,213
Other-than-temporary impairment charge related to marketable equity security		8
Other Assets
Financial Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Other equity investments without readily determinable fair values	41	43
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Financial Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Money market funds, at carrying value	200	700
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | RECOTHROM and PREVELEAK
Financial Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Change in fair value of contingent payment related to achievement of certain sales-based milestones	21
Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy
Financial Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Total accounts receivable from certain countries with liquidity issues	$ 130	$ 149

Summary of Financial Assets and

Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts, assets at fair value	$ 23	$ 15
Interest rate hedges, assets at fair value		4
Marketable equity securities	3	8
Total assets	26	27
Foreign currency hedges, liabilities at fair value	2	4
Interest rate contracts, liabilities at fair value	3
Contingent payments related to acquisitions	32	9
Total liabilities	37	13
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable equity securities	3	8
Total assets	3	8
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts, assets at fair value	23	15
Interest rate hedges, assets at fair value		4
Total assets	23	19
Foreign currency hedges, liabilities at fair value	2	4
Interest rate contracts, liabilities at fair value	3
Total liabilities	5	4
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent payments related to acquisitions	32	9
Total liabilities	$ 32	$ 9

Reconciliation of Fair Value Me

Reconciliation of Fair Value Measurements that Use Significant Unobservable Inputs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Contingent payments, Fair value as of beginning of period	$ 9	$ 19
Contingent payments, additions	24
Contingent payments, payments	(1)	(9)
Contingent payments, net gains recognized in earnings		(1)
Contingent payments, Fair value as of end of period	$ 32	$ 9

Book Values and Fair Values of

Book Values and Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Book Values
Fair Value And Carrying Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations	$ 2	$ 3
Long-term debt and lease obligations	3,473	3,509
Fair values
Fair Value And Carrying Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations	2	3
Long-term debt and lease obligations	$ 3,460	$ 3,595

Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy

Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Measurements of Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) - Fair values - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations	$ 2	$ 3
Long-term debt and lease obligations	3,460	3,595
Total liabilities	3,462	3,598
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations	2	3
Long-term debt and lease obligations	3,460	3,595
Total liabilities	$ 3,462	$ 3,598

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended							3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2012
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Shares available for future awards under the stock-based compensation plans								30,000,000								30,000,000
Stock compensation expense																$ 115,000,000	$ 107,000,000	$ 115,000,000
Tax benefit related to stock based compensation																61,000,000	87,000,000	$ 34,000,000
Excess tax benefit for stock based compensation																$ 40,000,000	$ 56,000,000
Cash dividends declared per common share		$ 0.19		$ 0.19	$ 0.19		$ 0.16	$ 0.190	$ 0.190	$ 0.190	$ 0.160	$ 0.160	$ 0.160	$ 0.160	$ 0.130	$ 0.73	$ 0.61	$ 0.51
Cash dividends paid per common share			$ 0.19	0.19		$ 0.16
Cash dividends declared per common share annualized basis				$ 0.76	$ 0.76		$ 0.64
Share repurchases																35,800,000	9,200,000	6,300,000
Value of share repurchases																$ 2,500,000,000	$ 564,000,000	$ 292,000,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount																				$ 2,000,000,000
Stock repurchase program, additional authorized amount		$ 2,000,000,000					$ 1,500,000,000												$ 1,500,000,000
Remaining value available under stock repurchase programs								$ 2,100,000,000								2,100,000,000
ASR Agreement
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount								$ 300,000,000								$ 300,000,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized to be purchased								3,600,000								3,600,000
Subsequent Event
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.19
Stock Options
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Exercise prices of stock options granted to employees and non employee directors																Equal to 100% of the market value
Stock options granted contractual term																10 years
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised																$ 222,000,000	$ 203,000,000	$ 162,000,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested								$ 54,000,000								$ 54,000,000
Weighted-average period for all unvested																1 year 8 months 12 days
Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units To Employees
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Stock options and RSUs vesting period																One-third increments over a three-year period
Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units To Non Employee Directors
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Stock options and RSUs vesting period																Immediately on the grant date and are issued with a six-month claw-back provision
Restricted Stock Units
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested								54,000,000								$ 54,000,000
Weighted-average period for all unvested																1 year 9 months 18 days
Weighted average fair value																$ 67.11	$ 55.11	$ 40.32
Fair value of RSUs and restricted stock vested																$ 69,000,000	$ 88,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Performance Shares
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested								$ 22,000,000								$ 22,000,000
Weighted-average period for all unvested																1 year 4 months 24 days
Weighted average fair value																$ 76.51
Percentage of equity awards granted																50.00%
Target service period																3 years
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Shares available for future awards under the stock-based compensation plans								3,000,000								3,000,000
Employee purchase price																85% of the closing market price on the purchase date.
Authorized shares available for future awards under the stock-based compensation plans								10,000,000								10,000,000
Share issued, ESPP																800,000	800,000	1,000,000
Shares under Subscription, ESPP								1,000,000								1,000,000
Marketing and Administrative Expenses
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense allocation percentage																80.00%	80.00%

Stock Options Fair Value Assump

Stock Options Fair Value Assumptions (Detail) - Stock Options - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	18.00%	19.00%	20.00%
Expected life (in years)	5 years 6 months	5 years 6 months	5 years 6 months
Risk-free interest rate	2.60%	2.10%	1.40%
Dividend yield	1.00%	1.00%	1.20%
Fair value per stock option	$ 13	$ 10	$ 7

Summary of Stock Option Activit

Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Number of options
Number of options, Outstanding at beginning of year | shares	28,208
Number of options, Granted | shares	4,062
Number of options, Exercised | shares	(5,831)
Number of options, Forfeited | shares	(999)
Number of options, Expired | shares	(126)
Number of options, Outstanding at end of year | shares	25,314
Number of options, Vested or expected to vest at end of year | shares	24,951
Number of options , Exercisable at end of year | shares	16,585
Stock options grant weighted-average exercise price
Weighted-average exercise price, Outstanding at beginning of year | $ / shares	$ 39.25
Weighted-average exercise price, Granted | $ / shares	66.49
Weighted-average exercise price, Exercised | $ / shares	36.36
Weighted-average exercise price, Forfeited | $ / shares	53.25
Weighted-average exercise price, Expired | $ / shares	33.98
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at end of year | $ / shares	43.76
Weighted Average Exercise Price Vested or expected to vest at end of year | $ / shares	43.51
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable at end of year | $ / shares	$ 37.68
Stock options grant Weighted-average remaining contractual life
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Outstanding at end of year	5 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Vested or expected to vest at end of year	5 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Exercisable at end of year	4 years 7 months 6 days
Stock options grant aggregate intrinsic value
Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding, ending balance | $	$ 560,657
Aggregate intrinsic value,Vested or expected to vest at end of year | $	559,192
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercisable at end of year | $	$ 466,851

Summary of Nonvested Restricted

Summary of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock Units - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
RSUs shares
Nonvested Units at beginning of year	2,201
Granted	629
Vested	(1,025)
Forfeited	(194)
Nonvested Units at end of year	1,611	2,201
RSUs weighted-average grant date fair value
Weighted-average grant date fair value Nonvested Units at beginning of year	$ 45.65
Weighted-average grant date fair value Granted	67.11	$ 55.11	$ 40.32
Weighted-average grant date fair value Vested	40.43
Weighted-average grant date fair value Forfeited	53.31
Weighted-average grant date fair value Nonvested Units at end of year	$ 56.45	$ 45.65

Performance Stock Units Fair Va

Performance Stock Units Fair Value Assumptions (Detail) - Performance Shares - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Baxter volatility	19.00%	19.00%	20.00%
Peer group volatility
Peer group volatility minimum	16.00%	16.00%	17.00%
Peer group volatility maximum	53.00%	54.00%	51.00%
Correlation of returns
Correlation of returns minimum	0.16	0.19	0.22
Correlation of returns maximum	0.61	0.58	0.73
Risk-free interest rate	2.30%	1.60%	1.00%
Fair value per PSU	$ 90	$ 69	$ 51

Summary of Nonvested Performanc

Summary of Nonvested Performance Stock Unit Activity (Detail) - Performance Shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
PSUs shares
Nonvested Units at beginning of year | shares	651
Granted | shares	340
Forfeited | shares	(78)
Nonvested Units at end of year | shares	913
PSUs weighted-average grant date fair value
Weighted-average grant date fair value Nonvested Units at beginning of year | $ / shares	$ 57.08
Weighted-average grant date fair value Granted | $ / shares	76.51
Weighted-average grant date fair value Forfeited | $ / shares	62.34
Weighted-average grant date fair value Nonvested Units at end of year | $ / shares	$ 63.88

Retirement and Other Benefit _3

Retirement and Other Benefit Programs - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation of company's pension plans		$ 5,400,000,000	$ 5,900,000,000
Expected return on plan assets assumption rate for 2019		6.25%
General investment portfolio limits on holdings, description		5.00%
Defined benefit obligation in 2019		$ 5,623,000,000
Defined benefit plan, decline in projected benefit obligation	$ (57,000,000)
Defined contribution plan, contributions by employer		50,000,000	45,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Puerto Rico Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum expected equity contribution to pension plans in 2019		0
OPEB
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contributions by company to pension plan		18,000,000	18,000,000
Defined benefit obligation in 2019		211,000,000	235,000,000	$ 243,000,000
Expected cash outflow relating to OPEB in 2019		$ 20,000,000
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Allowed variance from target allocation of plan assets		2.00%
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Allowed variance from target allocation of plan assets		5.00%
Return-Seeking Investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation for plan assets		53 percent
Liability Hedging Investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation for plan assets		47 percent
U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contributions by company to pension plan			$ 115,000,000
Defined benefit obligation in 2019		$ 0
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum expected equity contribution to pension plans in 2019		$ 40,000,000

Reconciliation of Pension and O

Reconciliation of Pension and OPEB Plan Obligations, Assets and Funded Status (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Benefit obligations
End of period	$ 5,623
Fair value of plan assets
Beginning of period	5,248
End of period	4,769	$ 5,248
Pension benefits
Benefit obligations
Beginning of period	6,159	5,717
Service cost	87	91	$ 93
Interest cost	178	180	183
Participant contributions	5	5
Actuarial (gain) loss	(431)	333
Benefit payments	(259)	(251)
Settlements	(6)	(9)
Curtailment	(57)
Acquisitions		2
Plan amendments		(7)
Foreign exchange and other	(53)	98
End of period	5,623	6,159	5,717
Fair value of plan assets
Beginning of period	5,248	4,501
Actual return on plan assets	(237)	708
Employer contributions	51	242
Participant contributions	5	5
Benefit payments	(259)	(251)
Settlements	(6)	(9)
Foreign exchange and other	(33)	52
End of period	4,769	5,248	4,501
Funded status at December 31	(854)	(911)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Noncurrent asset	59	65
Current liability	(25)	(24)
Noncurrent liability	(888)	(952)
Net liability recognized at December 31	(854)	(911)
OPEB
Benefit obligations
Beginning of period	235	243
Service cost	1	1	2
Interest cost	7	7	8
Actuarial (gain) loss	(14)	2
Benefit payments	(18)	(18)
Curtailment			4
End of period	211	235	$ 243
Fair value of plan assets
Employer contributions	18	18
Benefit payments	(18)	(18)
Funded status at December 31	(211)	(235)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Current liability	(20)	(19)
Noncurrent liability	(191)	(216)
Net liability recognized at December 31	$ (211)	$ (235)

Information Relating to Individ

Information Relating to Individual Plans in Funded Status Table above that have ABO in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Information relating to the individual plans in the funded status table above that have an ABO in excess of plan assets
ABO	$ 4,973	$ 5,398
Fair value of plan assets	$ 4,244	$ 4,674

Information Relating to Indiv_2

Information Relating to Individual Plans in Funded Status Table that have PBO in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Information relating to the individual plans in the funded status table above that have a PBO in excess of plan assets
PBO	$ 5,375	$ 5,875
Fair value of plan assets	$ 4,461	$ 4,899

Expected Net Pension and OPEB P

Expected Net Pension and OPEB Plan Payments for Next 10 Years (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Pension benefits
Expected Net Pension and OPEB Plan Payments for the Next 10 Years
2,019	$ 259
2,020	268
2,021	281
2,022	291
2,023	302
2024 through 2028	1,624
Total expected net benefit payments for next 10 years	3,025
OPEB
Expected Net Pension and OPEB Plan Payments for the Next 10 Years
2,019	20
2,020	18
2,021	18
2,022	17
2,023	16
2024 through 2028	71
Total expected net benefit payments for next 10 years	$ 160

Summary of Pre-Tax losses Inclu

Summary of Pre-Tax losses Included in AOCI (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension benefits
Summary of the pre-tax losses included in AOCI
Actuarial loss (gain)	$ 1,604	$ 1,660
Prior service credit and transition obligation	(10)	(12)
Total pre-tax loss (gain) recognized in AOCI	1,594	1,648
OPEB
Summary of the pre-tax losses included in AOCI
Actuarial loss (gain)	(79)	(76)
Prior service credit and transition obligation	(74)	(88)
Total pre-tax loss (gain) recognized in AOCI	$ (153)	$ (164)

Summary of Net-of-Tax Amounts R

Summary of Net-of-Tax Amounts Recorded in OCI Relating to Pension and OPEB Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of the net-of-tax amounts recorded in OCI relating to pension and OPEB plans
Gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($3) in 2018, $16 in 2017 and ($72) in 2016	$ (26)	$ 50	$ (191)
Amortization of loss to earnings, net of tax benefit of $12 in 2018, $46 in 2017 and $36 in 2016	58	91	94
Pension and other employee benefits (loss) gain	$ 32	$ 141	$ (97)

Summary of Net-of-Tax Amounts_2

Summary of Net-of-Tax Amounts Recorded in OCI Relating to Pension and OPEB Plans (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Gain (loss) arising during the year, tax expense (benefit)	$ (3)	$ 16	$ (72)
Amortization of loss to earnings, tax benefit	$ 12	$ 46	$ 36

Amounts Expected to be Amortize

Amounts Expected to be Amortized from AOCI to Net Periodic Benefit Cost in 2019 (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Pension benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial loss/(gain)	$ 63
Prior service credit and transition obligation	(1)
Total pre-tax amount expected to be amortized from AOCI to net pension and OPEB cost in 2019	62
OPEB
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial loss/(gain)	(12)
Prior service credit and transition obligation	(15)
Total pre-tax amount expected to be amortized from AOCI to net pension and OPEB cost in 2019	$ (27)

Net Periodic Benefit Cost - Con

Net Periodic Benefit Cost - Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension benefits
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$ 87	$ 91	$ 93
Interest cost	178	180	183
Expected return on plan assets	(304)	(291)	(298)
Amortization of net losses and other deferred amounts	95	163	149
Other	1		2
Curtailment	57
Net periodic benefit cost	57	143	129
OPEB
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	1	1	2
Interest cost	7	7	8
Amortization of net loss and prior service credit	(25)	(26)	(19)
Curtailment			(4)
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (17)	$ (18)	$ (13)

Weighted-Average Assumptions Us

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension benefits | Unfunded Plan | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	2.02%	2.02%
Rate of compensation increase	3.08%	3.05%
Discount rate	2.02%	2.03%	2.60%
Expected return on plan assets	5.58%	5.77%	6.07%
Rate of compensation increase	3.05%	3.11%	3.37%
Pension benefits | Puerto Rico Pension Plan | Nonqualified Plan | Americas
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.31%	3.62%
Rate of compensation increase	3.66%	3.65%
Discount rate	3.60%	4.09%	4.36%
Expected return on plan assets	6.25%	6.50%	7.00%
Rate of compensation increase	3.42%	3.75%	3.75%
OPEB
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost	7.00%	6.25%
Rate decreased to	5.00%	5.00%
by the year ended	2,027	2,023
Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost	7.00%	6.25%	6.50%
Rate decreased to	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
by the year ended	2,027	2,023	2,022
OPEB | Puerto Rico Pension Plan | Nonqualified Plan | Americas
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.20%	3.51%
Discount rate	3.51%	3.89%	4.12%

Fair Value of Pension Plan Asse

Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets and collateral to be paid on loaned securities	$ 4,769	$ 5,248
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets and collateral to be paid on loaned securities	1,078	1,335
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets and collateral to be paid on loaned securities	2,581	2,533
Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	10	18	$ 16
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets and collateral to be paid on loaned securities	10	18
Fair Value, Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets and collateral to be paid on loaned securities	1,100	1,362
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	144	230
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	21	12
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	123	218
U.S Government and Government Agency Issues
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	735	641
U.S Government and Government Agency Issues | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	735	641
Corporate Debt Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	1,126	1,052
Corporate Debt Securities | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	16	16
Corporate Debt Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	1,110	1,036
Common Stock Large Cap
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	541	711
Common Stock Large Cap | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	541	711
Common Stock Mid Cap
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	298	406
Common Stock Mid Cap | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	298	406
Common Stock Small Cap
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	91	89
Common Stock Small Cap | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	91	89
Common Stock
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	930	1,206
Common Stock | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	930	1,206
Mutual Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	353	390
Mutual Funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	134	144
Mutual Funds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	219	246
Common/Collective Trust Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	919	1,174
Common/Collective Trust Funds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	209	217
Common/Collective Trust Funds | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets		8	6
Common/Collective Trust Funds | Fair Value, Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	710	949
Partnership Investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	390	413
Partnership Investments | Fair Value, Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	390	413
Other Holdings
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	172	142
Other Holdings | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	11	10
Other Holdings | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	151	122
Other Holdings | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	10	10	$ 10
Collateral Held on Loaned Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	196	193
Collateral Held on Loaned Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	196	193
Loaned Securities Pledged as Collateral
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Collateral to be paid on loaned securities	(196)	(193)
Loaned Securities Pledged as Collateral | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Collateral to be paid on loaned securities	(34)	(53)
Loaned Securities Pledged as Collateral | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Collateral to be paid on loaned securities	$ (162)	$ (140)

Changes in Fair Value Measureme

Changes in Fair Value Measurements that Used Significant Unobservable Inputs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	$ 18	$ 16
Actual return on plan assets still held at year end		2
Transfers out	(8)
End of period	10	18
Common/Collective Trust Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	1,174
End of period	919	1,174
Common/Collective Trust Funds | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	8	6
Actual return on plan assets still held at year end		2
Transfers out	(8)
End of period		8
Other Holdings
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	142
End of period	172	142
Other Holdings | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	10	10
End of period	$ 10	$ 10

Funded Status Percentage of Com

Funded Status Percentage of Company's Pension Plans (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Funded status percentage of the company's pension plans
Fair value of plan assets	$ 4,769,000,000	$ 5,248,000,000
PBO	$ 5,623,000,000
Funded status percentage	85.00%
Americas
Funded status percentage of the company's pension plans
PBO	$ 0
Qualified Pension Plan | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit
Funded status percentage of the company's pension plans
Fair value of plan assets	762,000,000
PBO	$ 872,000,000
Funded status percentage	87.00%
Non Qualified Pension Plan | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit
Funded status percentage of the company's pension plans
PBO	$ 400,000,000
Puerto Rico Pension Plan | Qualified Pension Plan | Americas
Funded status percentage of the company's pension plans
Fair value of plan assets	4,007,000,000
PBO	$ 4,144,000,000
Funded status percentage	97.00%
Puerto Rico Pension Plan | Non Qualified Pension Plan | Americas
Funded status percentage of the company's pension plans
PBO	$ 207,000,000

Summary of Changes in AOCI by C

Summary of Changes in AOCI by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning of year	$ 9,116	$ 8,280
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(488)	427
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	68	128
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(420)	555	$ (4,780)
End of year	7,816	9,116	8,280
ASU 2016-01
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Adoption of new accounting standard	(3)
CTA
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning of year	(3,013)	(3,438)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(461)	396
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		29
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(461)	425
End of year	(3,474)	(3,013)	(3,438)
Pension and other employee benefits
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning of year	(981)	(1,122)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(26)	50
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	58	91
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	32	141
End of year	(949)	(981)	(1,122)
Hedging activities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning of year	(10)	3
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(1)	(18)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	10	5
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9	(13)
End of year	(1)	(10)	3
Available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning of year	3	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(1)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		2
End of year		3	1
Available-for-sale securities | ASU 2016-01
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Adoption of new accounting standard	(3)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning of year	(4,001)	(4,556)
End of year	$ (4,424)	$ (4,001)	$ (4,556)

Summary of Amounts Reclassifica

Summary of Amounts Reclassification from AOCI to Net Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Other (income) expense, net

$ 139

$ (19)

$ 4,275

Reclassifications, Total before tax

1,693

1,217

4,954

Reclassifications, Income tax expense (benefit)

(63)

(493)

12

Net income

$ 348

$ 544

$ 343

$ 389

$ (71)

$ 251

$ 265

$ 272

1,624

717

4,965

Cost of sales

6,346

6,091

$ 6,047

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Net income

(68)

(128)

[1]

Translation adjustments | Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Reclassifications, Total before tax

[1]

(29)

Net income

[1]

(29)

Translation adjustments | Loss on Venezuela deconsolidation | Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Other (income) expense, net

[1]

(29)

Amortization of pension and other employee benefits items | Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Actuarial losses and other

[2]

(70)

(137)

[1]

Reclassifications, Total before tax

(70)

(137)

[1]

Reclassifications, Income tax expense (benefit)

12

46

[1]

Net income

(58)

(91)

[1]

Gains (losses) on hedging activities | Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Reclassifications, Total before tax

(12)

(8)

[1]

Reclassifications, Income tax expense (benefit)

2

3

[1]

Net income

(10)

(5)

[1]

Gains (losses) on hedging activities | Foreign exchange contract | Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Cost of sales

$ (12)

(8)

[1]

Other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities | Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Other (income) expense, net

[1]

(5)

Available-for-sale-securities | Amounts reclassified from AOCI

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Reclassifications, Total before tax

[1]

(5)

Reclassifications, Income tax expense (benefit)

[1]

2

Net income

[1]

$ (3)

[1]

Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to net income.

[2]

These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost disclosed in Note 14.

Income From Continuing Operatio

Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense by Category (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 16	$ (291)	$ 3,906
International	1,677	1,508	1,048
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 1,693	$ 1,217	$ 4,954

Income Tax Expense Related To C

Income Tax Expense Related To Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current
Federal	$ 21	$ 8	$ 10
State and local	(1)	18	(3)
International	310	273	282
Current income tax expense	330	299	289
Deferred
Federal	(234)	233	(286)
State and local		(7)	3
International	(33)	(32)	(18)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(267)	194	(301)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 63	$ 493	$ (12)

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabili

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets
Accrued expenses	$ 232	$ 269
Retirement benefits	222	248
Tax credits and net operating losses	862	834
Valuation allowances	(305)	(483)
Total deferred tax assets	1,011	868
Deferred tax liabilities
Subsidiaries’ unremitted earnings	43	35
Asset basis differences	712	705
Total deferred tax liabilities	755	740
Net deferred tax asset	$ 256	$ 128

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	$ 305	$ 483
U.S Statutory tax rate, percent	21.00%	35.00%
Deferred tax benefit recognized due to reduced U.S tax rate and other effects of tax act	$ 8	$ 283
U.S. income tax rate on accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings on cash and other current assets	15.50%
U.S. income tax rate on accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings on remaining earnings	8.00%
Provisional charge recognized for one-time transitional tax expense	$ (5)	529
U.S. Valuation allowance recognized in respect of foreign tax credit DTA	$ (194)	339
Foreign unremitted earnings			$ 9,300
Estimated federal and state income tax amounts net of applicable credits on foreign unremitted earnings			2,600
Percentage of dividend exemption on foreign earnings	100.00%
Net interest and penalties	$ 8	3	6
Unrecognized interest and penalties expense	22	15
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	127
Gross unrecognized tax benefit liability	68	87
Net indemnification receivables	$ 25	$ 48	$ 28
Impact on earnings from continuing operations per diluted shares	$ 0.29	$ 0.25	$ 0.23
Expected reduction in gross unrecognized tax benefits	$ 12
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Description of income tax period under audit	Tax years 2009 and forward remain under examination by the IRS.
Earliest Tax Year | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax period under audit	2,008
Latest Tax Year | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax period under audit	2,010
Domestic Tax Authority
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 418
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	$ 424
Domestic Tax Authority | Earliest Tax Year
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2,019
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	2,019
Domestic Tax Authority | Latest Tax Year
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2,037
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	2,037
Foreign Tax Authority
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 1,400
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	$ 51
Foreign Tax Authority | Earliest Tax Year
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2,019
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	2,021
Foreign Tax Authority | Latest Tax Year
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2,029
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	2,031
Foreign Tax Authority | Tax Year No Expiration
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 877
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	$ 16
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	No expiration date
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	No expiration date

Income Tax Expense Reconciliati

Income Tax Expense Reconciliation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Expense Reconciliation
Income tax expense at U.S. statutory rate	$ 356	$ 424	$ 1,734
Retained shares tax free exchange gains			(1,587)
Tax incentives	(161)	(140)	(126)
State and local taxes	5	(6)	1
Foreign tax expense (benefit)	105	(82)
Contingent tax matters	10	(1)	(48)
Deferred tax revaluation due to 2017 Tax Act	(8)	(283)
Transition tax due to 2017 Tax Act	(5)	529
U.S. valuation allowance due to 2017 Tax Act	(194)	339
Stock options windfall tax benefits	(40)	(56)
Foreign tax credits generated		(246)
Other factors	(5)	15	14
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 63	$ 493	$ (12)

Reconciliation of Company's Unr

Reconciliation of Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Excluding Amounts Pertaining To Examined Tax Returns
Balance at beginning of the year	$ 108	$ 82	$ 191
Increase associated with tax positions taken during the current year	32	33	7
Increase (decrease) associated with tax positions taken during a prior year	13	2	(31)
Settlements	(5)	(6)	(75)
Decrease associated with lapses in statutes of limitations	(21)	(3)	(10)
Balance at end of the year	$ 127	$ 108	$ 82

Legal Proceedings - Additional

Legal Proceedings - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)Site	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation reserve		$ 34	$ 41
Litigation related receivables		$ 0	0
Deferred Prosecution Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Civil settlement amount	$ 18
Superfund Sites | Environmental Clean-up
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of sites | Site		7
Name of site		Superfund
Environmental reserves		$ 19	21
Superfund Sites | Environmental Clean-up | (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental charge			$ 15

Segment Information (Detail)

Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,841	$ 2,767	$ 2,842	$ 2,677	$ 2,774	$ 2,707	$ 2,605	$ 2,475	$ 11,127	$ 10,561	$ 10,163
Total segment operating income									1,599	1,291	745
Total depreciation expense									613	607	632
Total capital expenditures									714	625	691
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									5,959	5,720	5,437
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									2,961	2,731	2,697
APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									2,207	2,110	2,029
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income									3,624	3,310	3,018
Operating Segments | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income									2,412	2,234	2,078
Total depreciation expense									222	224	217
Total capital expenditures									291	267	332
Operating Segments | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income									674	564	476
Total depreciation expense									176	166	178
Total capital expenditures									161	161	140
Operating Segments | APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income									538	512	464
Total depreciation expense									96	85	86
Total capital expenditures									128	96	103
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income									(2,025)	(2,019)	(2,273)
Total depreciation expense									119	132	151
Total capital expenditures									$ 134	$ 101	$ 116

Operating Income to Income from

Operating Income to Income from Continuing Operations Reconciliation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total operating income	$ 1,599	$ 1,291	$ 745
Net interest expense	45	55	66
Other (income) expense, net	(139)	19	(4,275)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,693	1,217	4,954
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total operating income	3,624	3,310	3,018
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total operating income	$ (2,025)	$ (2,019)	$ (2,273)

Net Sales by GBU (Detail)

Net Sales by GBU (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

$ 2,841

$ 2,767

$ 2,842

$ 2,677

$ 2,774

$ 2,707

$ 2,605

$ 2,475

$ 11,127

$ 10,561

$ 10,163

Renal

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

[1]

3,662

3,480

3,421

Medication Delivery

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

[2]

2,669

2,698

2,596

Pharmaceuticals

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

[3]

2,092

1,883

1,722

Clinical Nutrition

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

[4]

877

882

858

Advanced Surgery

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

[5]

800

707

690

Acute Therapies

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

[6]

517

456

429

Other

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Net sales

[7]

$ 510

$ 455

$ 447

[1]

Renal Care includes sales of the company’s peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD) and additional dialysis therapies and services.

[2]

Medication Delivery includes sales of the company’s IV therapies, infusion pumps, administration sets and drug reconstitution devices.

[3]

Pharmaceuticals includes sales of the company’s premixed and oncology drug platforms, inhaled anesthesia and critical care products and pharmacy compounding services.

[4]

Clinical Nutrition includes sales of the company’s parenteral nutrition (PN) therapies and related products.

[5]

Advanced Surgery includes sales of the company’s biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasis, tissue sealing and adhesion prevention.

[6]

Acute Therapies includes sales of the company’s continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) and other organ support therapies focused in the intensive care unit (ICU).

[7]

Other includes sales primarily from the company’s pharmaceutical partnering business.

Geographic Information (Detail)

Geographic Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 2,841	$ 2,767	$ 2,842	$ 2,677	$ 2,774	$ 2,707	$ 2,605	$ 2,475	$ 11,127	$ 10,561	$ 10,163
Consolidated PP&E, net	4,542				4,588				4,542	4,588
U.S.
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total net sales									4,723	4,510	4,259
Consolidated PP&E, net	1,755				1,772				1,755	1,772
Latin America and Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total net sales									1,236	1,210	1,178
Consolidated PP&E, net	667				645				667	645
Total Americas
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total net sales									5,959	5,720	5,437
EMEA
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total net sales									2,961	2,731	2,697
Consolidated PP&E, net	1,222				1,268				1,222	1,268
APAC
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total net sales									2,207	2,110	$ 2,029
Consolidated PP&E, net	$ 898				$ 903				$ 898	$ 903

Quarterly Financial Results a_3

Quarterly Financial Results and Market for Company's Stock (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018		Sep. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2018		Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Net sales					$ 2,841		$ 2,767		$ 2,842		$ 2,677		$ 2,774		$ 2,707		$ 2,605		$ 2,475		$ 11,127		$ 10,561		$ 10,163
Gross margin					1,192	[1]	1,236	[1]	1,239	[1]	1,114	[1]	1,164	[2]	1,130	[2]	1,132	[2]	1,044	[2]	4,781	[1]	4,470	[2]	4,116
Income (loss) from continuing operations					$ 354	[1]	$ 544	[1]	$ 343	[1]	$ 389	[1]	$ (61)	[2]	$ 248	[2]	$ 264	[2]	$ 273	[2]	$ 1,630	[1]	$ 724	[2]	$ 4,966
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share
Basic					$ 0.67	[1]	$ 1.02	[1]	$ 0.64	[1]	$ 0.72	[1]	$ (0.11)	[2]	$ 0.46	[2]	$ 0.49	[2]	$ 0.50	[2]	$ 3.05	[1]	$ 1.33	[2]	$ 9.10
Diluted					$ 0.66	[1]	1	[1]	0.63	[1]	0.71	[1]	$ (0.11)	[2]	$ 0.45	[2]	$ 0.48	[2]	$ 0.50	[2]	$ 2.99	[1]	$ 1.30	[2]	$ 9.01
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax					$ (6)								$ (10)		$ 3		$ 1		$ (1)		$ (6)		$ (7)		$ (1)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations per common share
Basic					$ (0.01)		0		0		0		$ (0.02)		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)
Diluted					$ (0.01)		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ (0.02)		$ 0		$ 0		$ (0.01)		$ (0.02)		$ (0.01)
Net income (loss)					$ 348		$ 544		$ 343		$ 389		$ (71)		$ 251		$ 265		$ 272		$ 1,624		$ 717		$ 4,965
Net income per common share
Basic					$ 0.66	[1]	$ 1.02	[1]	$ 0.64	[1]	$ 0.72	[1]	$ (0.13)	[2]	$ 0.46	[2]	$ 0.49	[2]	$ 0.50	[2]	$ 3.04	[1]	$ 1.32	[2]	$ 9.09
Diluted					0.65	[1]	1	[1]	0.63	[1]	0.71	[1]	(0.13)	[2]	0.45	[2]	0.48	[2]	0.49	[2]	2.97	[1]	1.29	[2]	9.01
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.19	$ 0.19	$ 0.19	$ 0.16	0.190		0.190		0.190		0.160		0.160		0.160		0.160		0.130		0.73		0.61		$ 0.51
Maximum
Market price per common share
High/Low market price per common share					77.80		77.75		75.41		72.26		66.05		64.61		61.38		52.30		77.80		66.05
Minimum
Market price per common share
High/Low market price per common share					$ 61.45		$ 70.71		$ 63.43		$ 62.56		$ 61.45		$ 59.50		$ 52.29		$ 44.44		$ 61.45		$ 44.44
[1]	The first quarter of 2018 included a net benefit of $37 million due to a settlement of certain claims related to the acquired operations of Claris and an update to the estimated impact of U.S. federal tax reform previously made by the company offset by business optimization charges, acquisition and integration expenses and certain product litigation costs. The second quarter of 2018 included charges of $44 million related to business optimization and acquisition and integration expenses. The third quarter of 2018 included a net benefit of $138 million related to Hurricane Maria insurance recoveries, an update to the estimated impact of U.S. federal tax reform previously made by the company and an adjustment to the accrual related to the SIGMA SPECTRUM infusion pump inspection and remediation activities offset by business optimization charges, acquisition and integration expenses and European medical devices regulation costs. The fourth quarter of 2018 included charges of $34 million related to business optimization, acquisition and integration expenses, European medical devices regulation costs and an update to the estimated impact of U.S. federal tax reform previously made by the company offset by Hurricane Maria insurance recoveries and a reduction to the accrual related to the SIGMA SPECTRUM infusion pump inspections and remediation activities.
[2]	The first quarter of 2017 included charges of $17 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs and historical rebate and discount adjustments. The second quarter of 2017 included charges of $57 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Venezuela deconsolidation costs, Claris acquisition and integration expenses and adjustments to historical product reserves. The third quarter of 2017 included charges of $82 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Hurricane Maria costs, Claris acquisition and integration expenses and SIGMA SPECTRUM infusion pump inspection and remediation activities. The fourth quarter of 2017 included charges of $388 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Claris acquisition and integration expenses, Hurricane Maria costs, litigation and contractual disputes for business arrangements in which the company is no longer engaged or a party thereto and the impact of tax reform in the United States.

Quarterly Financial Results a_4

Quarterly Financial Results and Market for Company's Stock (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Business optimization, acquisition, collaboration arrangements and other charges	$ 34		$ 44		$ 388	$ 82	$ 57	$ 17
Business optimization, acquisition, collaboration arrangements and other benefits		$ 138		$ 37

Qualifying And Valuation Accoun

Qualifying And Valuation Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period		$ 120	$ 127	$ 110
Additions Charged to costs and expenses		4	4	16
(Credited) charged to other accounts	[1]	(7)	8	11
Deductions		(7)	(19)	(10)
Balance at end of period		110	120	127
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period		483	150	135
Additions Charged to costs and expenses		15	350	16
(Credited) charged to other accounts	[1]	(4)		3
Deductions		(189)	(17)	(4)
Balance at end of period		$ 305	$ 483	$ 150
[1]	Valuation accounts of acquired or divested companies and foreign currency translation adjustments.