Becton, Dickinson and (BDX) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	BDX
Entity Registrant Name	BECTON DICKINSON & CO
Entity Central Index Key	10795
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	209,385,629

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and equivalents	$1,912	$1,861
Short-term investments	40	884
Trade receivables, net	1,572	1,187
Current portion of net investment in sales-type leases	177	5
Inventories:
Materials	385	248
Work in process	304	260
Finished products	1,590	987
Inventories	2,278	1,495
Prepaid expenses, deferred taxes and other	1,016	698
Total Current Assets	6,996	6,131
Property, Plant and Equipment	8,130	7,765
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization	4,138	4,160
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	3,992	3,605
Goodwill	7,663	1,090
Customer Relationships, Net	3,562	8
Developed Technology, Net	3,028	513
Other Intangibles, Net	967	239
Capitalized Software, Net	346	365
Net Investment in Sales-Type Leases, Less Current Portion	1,044	9
Other Assets	696	488
Total Assets	28,293	12,447
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt	1,710	203
Payables and accrued expenses	2,787	2,031
Total Current Liabilities	4,497	2,235
Long-Term Debt	12,128	3,768
Long-Term Employee Benefit Obligations	996	1,009
Deferred Income Taxes and Other	3,513	383
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock	333	333
Capital in excess of par value	4,388	2,198
Retained earnings	12,324	12,105
Deferred compensation	18	19
Common stock in treasury - at cost	-8,281	-8,601
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-1,623	-1,001
Total Shareholders' Equity	7,159	5,053
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$28,293	$12,447

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$2,051	$2,072	$4,102	$4,086
Cost of products sold	1,005	1,019	2,011	1,999
Selling and administrative expense	511	525	1,055	1,056
Research and development expense	129	147	258	273
Acquisition-related costs	113		136
Total Operating Costs and Expenses	1,758	1,690	3,460	3,327
Operating Income	293	381	642	759
Interest expense	-91	-33	-167	-67
Interest income	8	10	19	24
Other income, net	15	5	17	6
Income Before Income Taxes	225	363	510	722
Income tax provision	9	76	58	164
Net Income	$216	$287	$452	$558
Basic Earnings per Share	$1.10	$1.48	$2.32	$2.88
Diluted Earnings per Share	$1.08	$1.45	$2.28	$2.82
Dividends per Common Share	$0.60	$0.55	$1.20	$1.09

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$216	$287	$452	$558
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-497	9	-638	15
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans	11	35	22	43
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications	2	1	-6	2
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	-484	45	-621	60
Comprehensive Income	($267)	$332	($169)	$619

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Activities
Net Income	$452	$558
Adjustments to net income to derive net cash provided by operating activities, net of amounts acquired:
Depreciation and amortization	277	272
Share-based compensation	92	67
Deferred income taxes	-13	-24
Change in operating assets and liabilities	-255	-113
Pension obligation	-3	-19
Other, net	-37	25
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	514	768
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-252	-214
Capitalized software	-17	-31
Proceeds from (purchases of) investments, net	813	-173
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-8,307	-40
Other, net	-66	-41
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	-7,829	-498
Financing Activities
Change in short-term debt	1,502	-6
Proceeds from long-term debt	6,164
Payments of debt	-2
Repurchase of common stock		-213
Excess tax benefits from payments under share-based compensation plans	40	19
Dividends paid	-232	-211
Issuance of common stock and other, net	-79	-10
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	7,392	-422
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	-26	-7
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	51	-159
Opening Cash and Equivalents	1,861	1,890
Closing Cash and Equivalents	$1,912	$1,731

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, in the opinion of the management of the Company, include all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. However, the financial statements do not include all information and accompanying notes required for a presentation in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages and earnings per share amounts presented are calculated from the underlying amounts. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.

Accounting_Changes

Accounting Changes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Changes	Note 2 – Accounting Changes
	New Accounting Principles Adopted
	In June 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. In March 2013, the FASB issued amendments to resolve diversity in practice relating to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into earnings upon the occurrence of certain derecognition events involving a foreign entity. The Company prospectively adopted both accounting standard updates, which did not impact its consolidated financial statements, on October 1, 2014.
	New Accounting Principle Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the FASB issued a new revenue recognition standard. Under this standard, revenue will be recognized upon the transfer of goods or services to customers and the amount of revenue recognized will reflect the consideration to which a reporting entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new revenue recognition standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and the Company currently intends to adopt the standard on October 1, 2018, the effective date which will be allowed under the FASB’s current proposal to defer the effective date for this standard.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Note 3 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	The components and changes of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the six-month period ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
	(Millions of dollars)		Total			Foreign Currency			Benefit Plans			Unrealized Losses on
						Translation Adjustments			Adjustments			Cash Flow Hedges
	Balance at September 30, 2014		$	(1,001	)	$	(270	)	$	(705	)	$	(26	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of taxes			(647	)		(638	)		—			(8	)
	Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes (A)			25			—			22			3
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	(1,623	)	$	(908	)	$	(683	)	$	(32	)
	(A)	The reclassification amount related to benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $11 million. The reclassification amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 were $8 million and $17 million, respectively. The benefit plan-related amounts were not reclassified into income in their entirety and these reclassifications were included in the computation of net periodic benefit plan costs. Additional details are provided in Note 8. The reclassification amount related to cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $2 million. The reclassification amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 were $1 million and $2 million, respectively. The cash flow hedge-related reclassification amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were primarily recorded in Interest expense and additional details are provided in Note 11.
	The loss in foreign currency translation adjustments for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily attributable to the weakening of the Euro, and of currencies in Latin America and Asia Pacific, against the U.S. dollar during the period.
	The income tax benefits associated with the benefit plan-related reclassification adjustments for amortization of prior service credit and amortization of net actuarial losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $6 million and $4 million, respectively. The income tax benefits associated with the benefit plan-related reclassification adjustments for amortization of prior service credit and amortization of net actuarial losses for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $12 million and $9 million, respectively.
	The income tax benefit recorded for losses recognized in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $5 million. Additional disclosures regarding these losses are provided in Note 11. There were no amounts recognized in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 or in the six months ended March 31, 2014. The income taxes recorded for reclassification adjustments for realized amounts relating to cash flow hedges were immaterial for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Note 4 – Earnings per Share
	The weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands) were as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Average common shares outstanding		196,085		193,609		194,447		193,909
	Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans		3,853		3,879		4,046		4,089
	Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding – assuming dilution		199,938		197,488		198,493		197,998
	Upon closing the acquisition of CareFusion Corporation (“CareFusion”) on March 17, 2015, the Company issued approximately 15.9 million of its common shares as part of the purchase consideration. Additional disclosures regarding this acquisition are provided in Note 9.

Contingencies

Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 5 – Contingencies
	Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, the Company is not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which the Company is a party. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company establishes accruals to the extent probable future losses are estimable (in the case of environmental matters, without considering possible third-party recoveries). In view of the uncertainties discussed below, the Company could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, liability insurance. In the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows.
	In June 2007, Retractable Technologies, Inc. (“RTI”) filed a complaint against the Company under the caption Retractable Technologies, Inc. vs. Becton Dickinson and Company (Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-250, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas). RTI alleges that the BD Integra™ syringes infringe patents licensed exclusively to RTI. In its complaint, RTI also alleges that the Company engaged in false advertising with respect to certain of the Company’s safety-engineered products in violation of the Lanham Act; acted to exclude RTI from various product markets and to maintain its market share through, among other things, exclusionary contracts in violation of state and federal antitrust laws; and engaged in unfair competition. In January 2008, the court severed the patent and non-patent claims into separate cases, and stayed the non-patent claims during the pendency of the patent claims at the trial court level. RTI seeks money damages and injunctive relief. On April 1, 2008, RTI filed a complaint against BD under the caption Retractable Technologies, Inc. and Thomas J. Shaw v. Becton Dickinson and Company (Civil Action No.2:08-cv-141, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas). RTI alleges that the BD Integra™ syringes infringe another patent licensed exclusively to RTI. RTI seeks money damages and injunctive relief. On August 29, 2008, the court ordered the consolidation of the patent cases. On November 9, 2009, at a trial of these consolidated cases, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of RTI on all but one of its infringement claims, but did not find any willful infringement, and awarded RTI $5 million in damages, which has been paid. On May 19, 2010, the court granted RTI’s motion for a permanent injunction against the continued sale by the Company of its BD Integra™ products in their current form, but stayed the injunction for the duration of the Company’s appeal. At the same time, the court lifted a stay of RTI’s non-patent claims. On July 8, 2011, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the District Court judgment that the Company’s 3ml BD Integra™ products infringed the asserted RTI patents and affirmed the District Court judgment of infringement against the Company’s discontinued 1ml BD Integra™ products. On October 31, 2011, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals denied RTI’s request for an en banc rehearing. In January 2013, RTI’s petition for review with the U.S. Supreme Court was denied. BD’s motion for further proceedings on damages was denied by the District Court on the grounds that the District Court did not have authority to modify the $5 million damage award. BD appealed this ruling to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and on July 7, 2014, the Court affirmed the District Court ruling leaving the damages award intact. On September 19, 2014, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals denied BD’s request for an en banc rehearing. On January 16, 2015, BD filed a petition for U.S. Supreme Court review of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals decision leaving the damages award intact. On April 20, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court denied BD’s petition.
	On September 19, 2013, a jury returned a verdict against BD with respect to certain of RTI’s non-patent claims. The verdict was unfavorable to BD with respect to RTI’s Lanham Act claim and claim for attempted monopolization based on deception in the safety syringe market. The jury awarded RTI $113.5 million for its attempted monopolization claim (which will be trebled under the antitrust statute). The jury’s verdict rejected RTI’s monopolization claims in the markets for safety syringes, conventional syringes and safety IV catheters; its attempted monopolization claims in the markets for conventional syringes and safety IV catheters; and its claims for contractual restraint of trade and exclusive dealing in the markets for safety syringes, conventional syringes and safety IV catheters. In connection with the verdict, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $341 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013. On September 30, 2014, the Court issued a ruling denying BD’s post-trial motion for judgment as a matter of law. On November 10, 2014, the Court issued a ruling denying RTI’s request for disgorgement of BD profits for false advertising on the ground that any profit to which RTI is entitled is included within the amount of the antitrust damage award. The Court granted RTI’s request that BD be ordered to issue certain corrective statements regarding its advertising and enjoined from making certain advertising claims. The Court denied RTI’s request for injunctive relief relating to BD’s contracting practices and BD’s safety syringe advertising, finding that RTI failed to prove that BD’s contracting practices violated the antitrust laws or that BD’s safety syringe advertising is false. The Court concluded that RTI is entitled to certain categories of attorneys’ fees that it requested, but that its total fee recovery should be reduced by 50%. On January 14, 2015, the Court granted in part and denied in part BD’s motion for a stay of the injunction. The Court held that, pending appeal, BD would not be required to send the corrective advertising notices to end-user customers, but only to employees, distributors and Group Purchasing Organizations. The Court otherwise upheld its November 10, 2014 Order regarding the injunction. On January 15, 2015, the Court entered its Final Judgment in the case. In the Final Judgment, the Court ordered that RTI recovers $341 million for its attempted monopolization claim and $12 million for attorneys’ fees, and awarded pre and post-judgment interest and costs. On February 3, 2015, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit denied BD’s motion for a stay of the injunction pending the final appeal. On April 23, 2015, the Court granted BD’s motion to eliminate the award of pre-judgment interest, and entered a new Final Judgment. BD has filed its appeal to the Court of Appeals challenging the entirety of the Final Judgment.
	On November 4, 2013, the Secretariat of Foreign Trade of the Federal Republic of Brazil, initiated an administrative anti-dumping investigation of imports of vacuum plastic tubes for blood collection into Brazil from the United States. the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Federal Republic of Germany and the People’s Republic of China during the period from January 2012 through December 2012. BD, through its United States and international subsidiaries, exports vacuum plastic tubes for blood collection into Brazil from the United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and cooperated with the investigation. On April 30, 2015, Brazilian Foreign Trade Board (“CAMEX”) issued a decision determining the application of anti-dumping measures including, without limitation, the imposition of duties on such vacuum plastic tubes imported into Brazil of 45.3% for products from the United States of America and 86.5% for products from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These anti-dumping measures, effective from April 30, 2015, will last for a minimum period of five years. Subsequent to the decision, CAMEX announced that it would initiate a proceeding to assess the duties from a public interest perspective. This proceeding could result in a suspension or modification of the CAMEX decision, although no assurance can be given in that regard. In any event, the Company does not believe that the CAMEX decision will materially affect its results of operations.
	On October 5, 2014, CareFusion and the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (which we refer to as the merger agreement) that provides for the acquisition of CareFusion by the Company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of the Company (“the merger subsidiary”) merged with and into CareFusion on March 17, 2015, with CareFusion surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Several putative class action lawsuits have been filed against CareFusion, its directors, the Company and the merger subsidiary in the Delaware Court of Chancery and in the Superior Court of California, San Diego County. These lawsuits generally allege that the members of the board of directors of CareFusion breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the merger by, among other things, carrying out a process that plaintiffs allege did not ensure adequate and fair consideration to CareFusion stockholders. The plaintiffs in these actions further allege that CareFusion and the Company aided and abetted the individual defendants’ breaches of their fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs seek, among other things, equitable relief to enjoin consummation of the merger, rescission of the merger and/or rescissory damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
	On December 30, 2014, the parties to the actions filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery (the “Delaware Actions”) entered into an agreement in principle to settle the Delaware Actions on the basis of additional disclosures made in a CareFusion Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on January 5, 2015. The settlement terms are reflected in a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”). On December 31, 2014, plaintiffs’ counsel notified the Delaware Court of Chancery of the settlement and MOU. Pursuant to the MOU, the parties to the Delaware Actions have agreed to negotiate in good faith to execute a stipulation of settlement, and will present the proposed settlement to the Delaware Court of Chancery as soon as practicable. The actions filed in the Superior Court of California are not part of the proposed settlement and are still pending.
	The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to each of the above-mentioned suits pending against the Company and is engaged in a vigorous defense of each of these matters.
	The Company is also involved both as a plaintiff and a defendant in other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.
	The Company is a party to a number of federal proceedings in the United States brought under the Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as “Superfund,” and similar state laws. The affected sites are in varying stages of development. In some instances, the remedy has been completed, while in others, environmental studies are commencing. For all sites, there are other potentially responsible parties that may be jointly or severally liable to pay all cleanup costs.

Segment_Data

Segment Data	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Data	Note 6 – Segment Data
	Effective October 1, 2014, the Company’s organizational structure was realigned to better complement its customer-focused solutions strategy and is based upon two principal business segments: BD Medical (“Medical”) and BD Life Sciences (“Life Sciences”). The composition of the Medical segment remains unchanged from its historical composition. The Life Sciences segment consists of the former BD Diagnostics and BD Biosciences segments. Beginning on October 1, 2014, decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment are made separately for the Medical and Life Sciences segments. Prior-period information presented for comparative purposes has been revised to reflect the new two-segment organizational structure. The Company’s two principal business segments are strategic businesses that are managed separately because each one develops, manufactures and markets distinct products and services. The Company evaluates performance of its business segments and allocates resources to them primarily based upon operating income. Segment operating income represents revenues reduced by product costs and operating expenses.
	Financial information for the Company’s segments was as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			March 31,						March 31,
	(Millions of dollars)		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenues (A)
	Medical		$	1,106		$	1,116		$	2,177		$	2,180
	Life Sciences			945			956			1,925			1,907
	Total Revenues		$	2,051		$	2,072		$	4,102		$	4,086
	Segment Operating Income
	Medical		$	328		$	317		$	632		$	611
	Life Sciences			200			198	(B)		413			432	(B)
	Total Segment Operating Income			528			515			1,045			1,043
	Unallocated Items (C)			(303	)(D)		(152	)(F)		(535	)(E)		(321	)(F)
	Income Before Income Taxes		$	225		$	363		$	510		$	722
	(A)	Intersegment revenues are not material.
	(B)	Includes an $11 million charge that resulted from the early termination of a European distributor agreement as well as a $20 million charge primarily resulting from the discontinuance of an instrument product development program. The development-related charge is largely attributable to capitalized product software, but also includes a lesser amount attributable to fixed assets.
	(C)	Includes primarily interest, net; foreign exchange; corporate expenses; share-based compensation expense; and acquisition-related costs.
	(D)	Includes financing, transaction, integration and restructuring costs associated with the CareFusion acquisition of $58 million, $33 million, $18 million and $62 million, respectively. Additional disclosures regarding this acquisition are provided in Note 9. Also includes an acquisition-date accounting gain of $9 million on the previously held investment in CRISI Medical Systems, Inc. (“CRISI”), which the Company fully acquired in March 2015.
	(E)	Includes financing, transaction, integration and restructuring costs associated with the CareFusion acquisition of $102 million, $43 million, $31 million and $62 million, respectively. Also includes a $12 million charge for RTI’s attorneys’ fees associated with the unfavorable verdict returned in the antitrust and false advertising lawsuit RTI filed against BD. For further discussion, refer to Note 5 in the notes to the financial statements. Additionally includes the acquisition-date accounting gain noted above.
	(F)	Includes an $8 million gain resulting from the Company’s receipt of cash proceeds from the sale of a company in which it held a small equity ownership interest.
	Revenues by geographic areas were as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			March 31,						March 31,
	(Millions of dollars)		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenues
	United States		$	863		$	826		$	1,744		$	1,675
	International			1,188			1,246			2,358			2,412
	Total Revenues		$	2,051		$	2,072		$	4,102		$	4,086

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Note 7 – Share-Based Compensation
	The Company grants share-based awards under the 2004 Employee and Director Equity-Based Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”), which provides long-term incentive compensation to employees and directors. The Company believes that such awards align the interests of its employees and directors with those of its shareholders.
	The fair values of stock appreciation rights granted during the annual share-based grants in November of 2014 and 2013, respectively, were estimated on the date of grant using a lattice-based binomial valuation model based on the following assumptions:
		2015			2014
	Risk-free interest rate		2.2	%		2.31	%
	Expected volatility		19	%		19	%
	Expected dividend yield		1.78	%		2	%
	Expected life		7.6 years			7.8 years
	Fair value derived	$	24.82		$	19.9
	The fair value of share-based payments is recognized as compensation expense in net income. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, compensation expense charged to income was $44 million and $25 million, respectively. Included in compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $18 million associated with certain pre-acquisition equity awards of CareFusion that were converted into BD restricted stock awards or BD stock options with accelerated vesting terms at the acquisition date. The expense associated with these awards with accelerated vesting terms was recorded in Acquisition-related costs. For the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, compensation expense charged to income was $92 million and $67 million, respectively.
	The amount of unrecognized compensation expense for all non-vested share-based awards as of March 31, 2015 was approximately $247 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining life of approximately 2.1 years. As an incentive to encourage post-acquisition employee retention, certain pre-acquisition equity awards of CareFusion were converted into either BD restricted stock awards or BD stock options, as applicable, as of the acquisition date, with substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such CareFusion awards immediately prior to the acquisition date. Included in the unrecognized compensation expense noted above is $70 million associated with these replacement awards. As of March 31, 2015, there were approximately 3 million of such replacement awards outstanding.

Benefit_Plans

Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit Plans	Note 8 – Benefit Plans
	The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of its employees in the United States and certain foreign locations. The Company also provides certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to qualifying domestic retirees. Other postretirement benefit plans in foreign countries are not material. The measurement date used for the Company’s employee benefit plans is September 30.
	Net pension and postretirement cost included the following components for the three months ended March 31:
		Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Benefits
	(Millions of dollars)	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	19		$	18		$	1		$	1
	Interest cost		21			23			2			2
	Expected return on plan assets		(30	)		(31	)		—			—
	Amortization of prior service credit		(4	)		(4	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Amortization of loss		17			12			1			1
	Net pension and postretirement cost	$	23		$	18		$	2		$	2
	Net pension and postretirement cost included the following components for the six months ended March 31:
		Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Benefits
	(Millions of dollars)	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	38		$	35		$	2		$	2
	Interest cost		43			46			4			5
	Expected return on plan assets		(61	)		(62	)		—			—
	Amortization of prior service credit		(8	)		(8	)		(2	)		(2	)
	Amortization of loss		34			24			1			1
	Net pension and postretirement cost	$	46		$	35		$	4		$	6
	The amounts provided above for amortization of prior service credit and amortization of loss represent the reclassifications of prior service credits and net actuarial losses that were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in prior periods.
	Postemployment benefit costs were $10 million and $12 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Postemployment benefit costs were $21 million and $23 million for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company recognized a $36 million charge associated with unusually broad and significant workforce reduction actions that were not contemplated when the postemployment benefit plan obligation was measured on September 30, 2013. As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s remaining liability relating to these workforce reductions was $17 million. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company recognized a $34 million charge for employee termination costs in connection with its acquisition of CareFusion. The Company’s liability relating to these actions was $4 million at March 31, 2015. Additional disclosures regarding the CareFusion acquisition are provided in Note 9.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Note 9 – Acquisitions
	CareFusion Corporation
	Overview of Transaction and Consideration Transferred
	On March 17, 2015, pursuant to a definitive agreement announced on October 5, 2014, the Company acquired a 100% interest in CareFusion, a global medical technology company with a comprehensive portfolio of products in the areas of medication management, infection prevention, operating room and procedural effectiveness, and respiratory care, to create a global leader in medication management and patient safety solutions. Under the terms of the transaction, CareFusion shareholders received $49.00 in cash and 0.0777 of a share of the Company for each share of CareFusion. The value of the total consideration transferred for accounting purposes was based on the closing share price of the Company’s stock on the last trading day prior to the closing date of the transaction. The fair value of consideration transferred was $12.538 billion and consisted of the components below.
	(Millions of dollars)
	Cash consideration		$	10,085
	Noncash consideration-fair value of shares issued			2,269
	Noncash consideration-fair value of stock options and other equity awards			184
	Total consideration transferred		$	12,538
	The acquisition date fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares issued to CareFusion shareholders was calculated per the following (shares in millions):
	(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
	Total CareFusion shares outstanding			205.3
	Conversion factor			0.0777
	Number of the Company’s shares issued			15.9
	Closing price of the Company’s stock on March 16, 2015		$	142.29
	Fair value of the Company’s issued shares		$	2,269
	Additional disclosures regarding the financing arrangements the Company entered into to fund the cash portion of the consideration transferred relative to this acquisition are provided in Note 13.
	Allocation of Consideration Transferred to Net Assets Acquired
	The Company is in the process of finalizing the allocation of the purchase price to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The preliminary allocations of the purchase price below as of March 31, 2015 provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These provisional estimates will be adjusted upon the availability of further information regarding events or circumstances which existed at the acquisition date and such adjustments may be significant.
	All of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition have been allocated to the Company’s Medical segment.
	(Millions of dollars)
	Cash and equivalents		$	1,903
	Trade receivables, net			486
	Inventories			822
	Net investment in sales-type leases			1,209
	Property, plant and equipment			496
	Customer relationships			3,550
	Developed technology			2,510
	Trade name and trademarks			450
	Other intangible assets			228
	Other assets			344
	Total identifiable assets acquired			11,998
	Long-term debt			(2,181	)
	Deferred tax liabilities			(3,081	)
	Other liabilities			(760	)
	Total liabilities assumed			(6,022	)
	Net identifiable assets acquired			5,976
	Goodwill			6,562
	Net assets acquired		$	12,538
	Net Investment in Sales-Type Leases Acquired
	The fair value of the net investment in sales-type leases acquired was based upon a determination that the interest rate implicit in the lease contract portfolio represented a market interest rate as well as a determination that the residual value of the overall lease contract portfolio represents fair market value.
	Identifiable Intangible Assets Acquired
	The customer relationships asset acquired represented CareFusion’s contractual relationships with its customers. The fair value of these customer relationships was determined based on the present value of projected cash flows utilizing an income approach with a risk-adjusted discount rate of 11%. The amortization period of the customer relationships was determined to be 15 years and this period corresponds with the weighted average of lives determined for the product technology which underlies the customer contracts.
	The developed technology assets acquired represented CareFusion’s developed technologies in the areas of medication management, infection prevention, operating room and procedural effectiveness, and respiratory care. The technologies’ fair values were determined based on the present value of projected cash flows utilizing an income approach with a risk-adjusted discount rate of 11%. The technologies will be amortized over a weighted-average amortization period of 12 years, which is the weighted average period over which the technologies are expected to generate substantial cash flows.
	The trade name and trademark assets acquired represented the value of registered trademarks protecting the intellectual property underlying CareFusion’s product technologies. The fair value of the trade name and trademark represents the present value of projected cash flows, specifically the estimated cost savings from not being required to pay royalties for use of these intellectual properties, utilizing an income approach with a risk-adjusted discount rate of 11%.
	Other intangible assets acquired included $150 million relating to acquired in-process research and development assets representing development projects relating to various product technologies. The probability of success associated with the projects, based upon the applicable technological and commercial risk, was assumed to be 80% to 85%, depending upon the project. The projects’ fair values were determined based on the present value of projected cash flows utilizing an income approach with a risk-adjusted discount rate of 12%. The launches of the various projects are expected to occur from 2016 to 2022.
	Other Liabilities Assumed
	The balance of other liabilities assumed included a $36 million liability recorded due to a recall relating to AVEA® ventilators, which is one of CareFusion’s respiratory solutions products. The liability represents the costs expected to be incurred in connection with voluntary field corrections for a portion of the installed base of ventilators.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill typically results through expected synergies from combining operations of an acquiree and an acquirer, as well as from intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill recognized as a result of this acquisition includes, among other things, the value of combining the complementary product portfolios of the Company and CareFusion to offer integrated medication management solutions and smart devices. Synergies are expected from combining the two companies’ products to meet unmet needs in hospitals, hospital pharmacies and alternate sites of care to increase efficiencies, reduce medication administration errors and improve patient and healthcare worker safety. Synergies are also expected to result from solid positions in patient safety to maximize outcomes in infection prevention, respiratory care, and acute care procedural effectiveness. No portion of goodwill from this acquisition is currently expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	Financing, Transaction, Integration and Restructuring Costs
	In connection with the acquisition, the Company incurred financing, transaction, integration and restructuring costs throughout the first six months of fiscal year 2015. The financing costs totaled $58 million and $102 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and were recorded as Interest expense. Transaction costs of $33 million and $43 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and integration costs of $18 million and $31 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, were recorded as Acquisition-related costs, and consisted of legal, advisory and other costs. Restructuring costs were $62 million for both the three and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015. These costs were also recorded as Acquisition-related costs, and included $34 million of employee termination costs, $18 million of accelerated share-based compensation expense, and $10 million of other restructuring costs. See Note 8 for further discussion of the employee termination costs. The Company is in the process of executing its integration plans to combine businesses, sales organizations, systems and locations and, as a result, the Company is expected to continue to incur fairly substantial integration costs through to fiscal year 2016.
	Unaudited Pro Forma Information
	The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The operating activities from the acquisition date through March 31, 2015 were not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations. As such, CareFusion’s operating results will be included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations beginning on April 1, 2015.
	The following table provides the pro forma results for the three and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as if CareFusion had been acquired as of October 1, 2013.
			Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
			March 31,					March 31,
	(Millions of dollars, except per share data)		2015			2014		2015		2014
	Revenues		$	3,048		$	3,040	$	6,168	$	5,976
	Net Income		$	273		$	287	$	644	$	560
	Diluted Earnings per Share		$	1.27		$	1.34	$	3	$	2.61
	The pro forma results above reflect the following adjustments, which were adjusted for the applicable tax impact to derive the net income amounts above:
		•		Additional amortization expense related to the fair value of intangible assets acquired;
		•		Additional depreciation expense related to the fair value of property, plant and equipment acquired;
	•		Additional interest expense and financing costs associated with the Company’s financing arrangements relating to this acquisition, as well as the adjustment to interest expense relating to the fair value of long-term debt assumed;
	•		Elimination of one-time financing fees, transaction, integration and restructuring costs incurred relative to this acquisition;
	•		Exclusion of the income statement effects of the fair value adjustments to inventory and deferred revenue obligations acquired as such adjustments are not recurring in nature.
The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost savings or other effects of the planned integration of CareFusion. Accordingly, the pro forma results above are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been if the acquisition had occurred on the dates indicated, nor are the pro forma results indicative of results which may occur in the future.
Other Transactions
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company acquired GenCell Biosystems (“GenCell”), a privately-held Irish biotech company that has developed proprietary technologies that address key biological analysis protocols including library preparation of Next Generation Sequencing and genotyping applications. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company acquired CRISI, a San Diego-based medical technology company dedicated to improving the safety and delivery of IV injectable medications.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Note 10 – Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets consisted of:
			March 31, 2015						September 30, 2014
	(Millions of dollars)		Gross			Accumulated			Gross			Accumulated
			Carrying			Amortization			Carrying			Amortization
			Amount						Amount
	Amortized intangible assets
	Customer relationships		$	3,565		$	2		$	10			2
	Developed technology			3,406			378			893			379
	Product rights			126			31			148			31
	Patents, trademarks, and other			791			186			259			182
	Amortized intangible assets		$	7,888		$	598		$	1,308		$	594
	Unamortized intangible assets
	Acquired in-process research and development		$	264					$	44
	Trademarks			2						2
	Unamortized intangible assets		$	266					$	46
	Additional information regarding the increases to the intangible asset classes detailed above as a result of the CareFusion acquisition is provided in Note 9. The increase to developed technology assets additionally included $49 million of assets recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of CRISI in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. The increase in acquired in-process research and development project assets additionally included $81 million of assets recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of Gen Cell in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. Intangible amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $20 million and $21 million, respectively. Intangible amortization expense for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $40 million and $42 million, respectively.
	The following is a reconciliation of goodwill by business segment:
	(Millions of dollars)		Medical			Life Sciences			Total
	Goodwill as of September 30, 2014		$	482		$	608		$	1,090
	Acquisitions			6,569	(A)		64	(B)		6,632
	Currency translation/other (C)			(44	)		(14	)		(58	)
	Goodwill as of March 31, 2015		$	7,006		$	657		$	7,663
	(A)	Primarily represents goodwill recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of CareFusion in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Additional disclosures regarding the CareFusion acquisition are provided in Note 9. Also includes $6 million of goodwill recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of CRISI in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.
	(B)	Represents goodwill recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of GenCell in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.
	(C)	Includes amounts resulting from foreign currency translation as well as acquisition accounting adjustments.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Note 11 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative instruments to mitigate certain exposures. The effects these derivative instruments and hedged items have on financial position, financial performance, and cash flows are provided below.

Foreign Currency Risks and Related Strategies

The Company has foreign currency exposures throughout Europe, Asia Pacific, Canada, Japan and Latin America. Transactional currency exposures that arise from entering into transactions, generally on an intercompany basis, in non-hyperinflationary countries that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are mitigated primarily through the use of forward contracts and currency options. Hedges of the transactional foreign exchange exposures resulting primarily from intercompany payables and receivables are undesignated hedges. As such, the gains or losses on these instruments are recognized immediately in income. The offset of these gains or losses against the gains and losses on the underlying hedged items, as well as the hedging costs associated with the derivative instruments, is recognized in Other income (expense), net.

The total notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange contracts as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 were $2.6 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively.

Interest Rate Risks and Related Strategies

The Company’s primary interest rate exposure results from changes in U.S. dollar interest rates. The Company’s policy is to manage interest cost using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. The Company periodically uses interest rate swaps to manage such exposures. Under these interest rate swaps, the Company exchanges, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. These swaps are designated as either fair value or cash flow hedges.

For interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges (i.e., hedges against the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk), changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt due to changes in market interest rates.

Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk) are offset by amounts recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss). If interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are terminated, the balance in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to those derivatives is reclassified into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged debt. The net realized loss related to terminated interest rate swaps expected to be reclassified and recorded in Interest expense within the next 12 months is $6 million, net of tax. The Company had no outstanding interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2015 or as of September 30, 2014.

The total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges was $375 million at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The outstanding swaps represent fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements the Company entered into, in March and September 2014, to convert the interest payments on $375 million of the Company’s 3.125% notes, due November 8, 2021, from the fixed rate to a floating interest rate based on LIBOR. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt. The gain recorded on these fair value hedges and the offsetting loss recorded on the underlying debt instrument was $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and $16 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015.

Other Risk Exposures

The Company purchases resins, which are oil-based components used in the manufacture of certain products. Significant increases in world oil prices that lead to increases in resin purchase costs could impact future operating results. From time to time, the Company has managed price risks associated with these commodity purchases. The Company had no outstanding commodity derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.

Effects on Consolidated Balance Sheets

The location and amounts of derivative instrument fair values in the consolidated balance sheet are segregated below between designated, qualifying hedging instruments and ones that are not designated for hedge accounting.

(Millions of dollars)

March 31,

September 30,

2015

2014

Asset derivatives-designated for hedge accounting

Interest rate swaps

$

16

$

3

Asset derivatives-undesignated for hedge accounting

Forward exchange contracts

12

20

Total asset derivatives (A)

$

28

$

23

Liability derivatives-undesignated for hedge accounting

Forward exchange contracts

80

14

Total liability derivatives (B)

$

80

$

14

(A)

All asset derivatives are included in Prepaid expenses, deferred taxes and other.

(B)

All liability derivatives are included in Payables and accrued expenses.

Effects on Consolidated Statements of Income

Cash flow hedges

Losses of $8 million were recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) for the six months ended March 31, 2015. These losses were attributable to interest rate swaps, with a total notional amount of $2.3 billion that were entered into during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 to partially hedge interest rate risk associated with the anticipated issuance of senior unsecured notes in connection with the Company’s acquisition of CareFusion. These swaps were designated as hedges of the variability in interest payments attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate during the period preceding the Company’s issuance of the notes. The swaps were terminated at losses, concurrent with the pricing of notes issued in December 2014, and the realized losses will be amortized over the lives of the notes with an offset to Interest expense. There were no amounts recognized in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 or for the six months ended March 31, 2014. Additional disclosures regarding amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 relating to cash flow hedges are provided in Note 3. Additional disclosures regarding the acquisition of CareFusion are provided in Note 9 and additional disclosures regarding the Company’s debt issuance during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 are provided in Note 13.

Undesignated hedges

The location and amount of gains and losses recognized in income on derivatives not designated for hedge accounting were as follows:

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Location of Gain

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives

(Loss) Recognized in

Income on

Derivatives

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

March 31,

March 31,

(Millions of dollars)

2015

2014

2015

2014

Forward exchange contracts (A)

Other income (expense), net

$

(94

)

$

(1

)

$

(96

)

$

5

(A)

The gains and losses on forward contracts and currency options utilized to hedge the intercompany transactional foreign exchange exposures are largely offset by gains and losses on the underlying hedged items in Other income (expense), net.

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	Note 12 – Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
	The fair values of financial instruments, including those not recognized on the statement of financial position at fair value, carried at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are classified in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in the following tables:
				Basis of Fair Value Measurement
	(Millions of dollars)	March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Total		Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
				for Identical		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Assets (Level 1)
	Assets
	Institutional money market investments	$	1,175	$	1,175	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swaps		16		—		16		—
	Forward exchange contracts		12		—		12		—
	Total Assets	$	1,203	$	1,175	$	28	$	—
	Liabilities
	Forward exchange contracts	$	80	$	—	$	80	$	—
	Contingent consideration liabilities		49		—		—		49
	Total Liabilities	$	129	$	—	$	80	$	49
				Basis of Fair Value Measurement
	(Millions of dollars)	September 30,		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		2014		Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
		Total		for Identical		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Assets (Level 1)
	Assets
	Institutional money market investments	$	1,040	$	1,040	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swaps		3		—		3		—
	Forward exchange contracts		20		—		20		—
	Total Assets	$	1,063	$	1,040	$	23	$	—
	Liabilities
	Forward exchange contracts	$	14	$	—	$	14	$	—
	Contingent consideration liabilities		14		—		—		14
	Total Liabilities	$	29	$	—	$	14	$	14
	The Company’s institutional money market accounts permit daily redemption and the fair values of these investments are based upon the quoted prices in active markets provided by the holding financial institutions. The Company’s remaining cash equivalents were $737 million and $821 million at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Short-term investments are held to their maturities and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The cash equivalents consist of liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less and the short-term investments consist of instruments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year.
	The Company measures the fair value of forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps based upon the present value of expected future cash flows using market-based observable inputs including credit risk, interest rate yield curves, foreign currency spot prices and forward prices.
	Long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair value of long-term debt is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, which are considered Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of long-term debt was $12.8 billion and $4.1 billion at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
	The contingent consideration liabilities were recognized as part of the consideration transferred by the Company for certain acquisitions. The fair values of the contingent consideration liabilities were estimated using probability-weighted discounted cash flow models that were based upon the probabilities assigned to the contingent events. The estimated fair values of the contingent consideration liabilities are remeasured at each reporting period based upon increases or decreases in the probability of the contingent payments. The increase to the total contingent consideration liability in the six months ended March 31, 2015 was mostly attributable to a contingent consideration liability of $36 million recognized in connection with the Company’s acquisition of GenCell in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.
	The Company’s policy is to recognize any transfers into fair value measurement hierarchy levels and transfers out of levels at the beginning of each reporting period. There were no transfers in and out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 measurements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Note 13 – Debt
	As disclosed in Note 9, the Company acquired CareFusion on March 17, 2015. As part of its plan for financing the cash requirements relative to this acquisition, the Company issued senior unsecured notes in December 2014 with a total aggregate principal amount of $6.2 billion. Details regarding this debt issuance were as follows:
	Interest Rate and Maturity	Aggregate
		Principal
		Amount
		(Millions of dollars)
	Floating Rate Notes due June 15, 2016	$	750
	1.800% Notes due December 15, 2017		1,250
	2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019		1,250
	3.734% Notes due December 15, 2024		1,750
	4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044		1,200
	Total long-term debt issued in connection with CareFusion acquisition	$	6,200
	Also in December 2014, the Company entered into a 364-day term loan agreement that provides for a $1 billion term loan facility, the proceeds under which could only be used to pay the cash consideration due pursuant to the CareFusion acquisition agreement, as well as to pay financing fees, other related fees and other expenses associated with the CareFusion acquisition. Borrowings of $1 billion were outstanding under this term loan facility at March 31, 2015. In April 2015, the Company made a $650 million principal payment to reduce the outstanding balance of this term loan facility.
	Concurrent with the execution of the agreement to acquire CareFusion, the Company secured $9.1 billion of fully committed bridge financing to ensure its ability to fund the cash portion of consideration due under the agreement, as well as to pay fees and expenses related to the acquisition. This bridge credit agreement was terminated upon the closing of the CareFusion acquisition in March 2015.
	In January 2015, in anticipation of the closing of the CareFusion acquisition, the Company entered into a commercial paper program under which it may issue up to $1 billion in short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes. A former commercial paper program which had been in place to meet short-term financing needs was terminated in February 2015 and the outstanding borrowings of $200 million under the former program were rolled into the new commercial paper program. Borrowings of $700 million were outstanding under the current commercial paper program at March 31, 2015, of which $500 million has been used to finance the Company’s acquisition of CareFusion and to pay related fees and expenses.
	Upon the closing of the CareFusion acquisition in March 2015, the Company assumed the indebtedness of CareFusion, including senior unsecured notes with an aggregate principal amount of $2 billion, which was recorded on the acquisition date at a fair value of $2.181 billion. In March 2015, subsequent to closing the acquisition of CareFusion, the Company commenced offers to exchange all validly tendered and accepted notes issued by CareFusion for notes to be issued by the Company. This offer expired in April 2015 and the aggregate principal amounts below of each series of the CareFusion notes were validly tendered and exchanged for notes issued by the Company. Following the exchange of the notes, the aggregate principal amount of CareFusion notes that remain outstanding across the five series is $51 million.
	Interest Rate and Maturity	Aggregate		Percentage of
		Principal Amount		Total
		(Millions of dollars)		Outstanding
				Principal
				Amount of such
				Series of
				Existing Notes
	1.450% senior notes due May 15, 2017	$	293		97.64	%
	6.375% senior notes due August 1, 2019		665		95	%
	3.300% senior notes due March 1, 2023		294		97.95	%
	3.875% senior notes due May 15, 2024		397		99.37	%
	4.875% senior notes due May 15, 2044		300		99.96	%
	Total senior notes issued under exchange offer	$	1,949

Financing_Receivables

Financing Receivables	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivables	Note 14 – Financing Receivables
	As disclosed in Note 9, the net assets acquired in the Company’s acquisition of CareFusion included a $1.209 billion net investment in sales-type leases which primarily arose from the leasing of dispensing equipment. The methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses for these financing receivables is based on the collective population and is not stratified by class or portfolio segment. Allowances for credit losses on the entire portfolio are recorded based on historical experience loss rates and the potential impact of anticipated changes in business practices, market dynamics, and economic conditions. Allowances for individual balances are recorded based on the evaluation of customers’ specific circumstances. No interest is accrued on past due financing receivables, which are generally considered past due 30 days after the billing date. Amounts are written off against the allowance for credit losses when determined to be uncollectible.

Accounting_Changes_Policies

Accounting Changes (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
New Accounting Principles Adopted and Not Yet Adopted	New Accounting Principles Adopted
	In June 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. In March 2013, the FASB issued amendments to resolve diversity in practice relating to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into earnings upon the occurrence of certain derecognition events involving a foreign entity. The Company prospectively adopted both accounting standard updates, which did not impact its consolidated financial statements, on October 1, 2014.
	New Accounting Principle Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the FASB issued a new revenue recognition standard. Under this standard, revenue will be recognized upon the transfer of goods or services to customers and the amount of revenue recognized will reflect the consideration to which a reporting entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new revenue recognition standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and the Company currently intends to adopt the standard on October 1, 2018, the effective date which will be allowed under the FASB’s current proposal to defer the effective date for this standard.
ASC 450-20 Recognition Guidelines	Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, the Company is not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which the Company is a party. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company establishes accruals to the extent probable future losses are estimable (in the case of environmental matters, without considering possible third-party recoveries). In view of the uncertainties discussed below, the Company could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, liability insurance. In the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Foreign Currency Risks and Related Strategies
	The Company has foreign currency exposures throughout Europe, Asia Pacific, Canada, Japan and Latin America. Transactional currency exposures that arise from entering into transactions, generally on an intercompany basis, in non-hyperinflationary countries that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are mitigated primarily through the use of forward contracts and currency options. Hedges of the transactional foreign exchange exposures resulting primarily from intercompany payables and receivables are undesignated hedges. As such, the gains or losses on these instruments are recognized immediately in income. The offset of these gains or losses against the gains and losses on the underlying hedged items, as well as the hedging costs associated with the derivative instruments, is recognized in Other income (expense), net.
	The total notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange contracts as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 were $2.6 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively.
	Interest Rate Risks and Related Strategies
	The Company’s primary interest rate exposure results from changes in U.S. dollar interest rates. The Company’s policy is to manage interest cost using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. The Company periodically uses interest rate swaps to manage such exposures. Under these interest rate swaps, the Company exchanges, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. These swaps are designated as either fair value or cash flow hedges.
	For interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges (i.e., hedges against the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk), changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt due to changes in market interest rates.
	Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk) are offset by amounts recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss). If interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are terminated, the balance in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to those derivatives is reclassified into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged debt. The net realized loss related to terminated interest rate swaps expected to be reclassified and recorded in Interest expense within the next 12 months is $6 million, net of tax. The Company had no outstanding interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2015 or as of September 30, 2014.
	The total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges was $375 million at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The outstanding swaps represent fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements the Company entered into, in March and September 2014, to convert the interest payments on $375 million of the Company’s 3.125% notes, due November 8, 2021, from the fixed rate to a floating interest rate based on LIBOR. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt. The gain recorded on these fair value hedges and the offsetting loss recorded on the underlying debt instrument was $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and $16 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015.
	Other Risk Exposures
	The Company purchases resins, which are oil-based components used in the manufacture of certain products. Significant increases in world oil prices that lead to increases in resin purchase costs could impact future operating results. From time to time, the Company has managed price risks associated with these commodity purchases. The Company had no outstanding commodity derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.
ASC 820 Fair Value Disclosures	The Company measures the fair value of forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps based upon the present value of expected future cash flows using market-based observable inputs including credit risk, interest rate yield curves, foreign currency spot prices and forward prices.
	Long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair value of long-term debt is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, which are considered Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of long-term debt was $12.8 billion and $4.1 billion at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
	The contingent consideration liabilities were recognized as part of the consideration transferred by the Company for certain acquisitions. The fair values of the contingent consideration liabilities were estimated using probability-weighted discounted cash flow models that were based upon the probabilities assigned to the contingent events. The estimated fair values of the contingent consideration liabilities are remeasured at each reporting period based upon increases or decreases in the probability of the contingent payments. The increase to the total contingent consideration liability in the six months ended March 31, 2015 was mostly attributable to a contingent consideration liability of $36 million recognized in connection with the Company’s acquisition of GenCell in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.
	The Company’s policy is to recognize any transfers into fair value measurement hierarchy levels and transfers out of levels at the beginning of each reporting period. There were no transfers in and out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 measurements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses	The methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses for these financing receivables is based on the collective population and is not stratified by class or portfolio segment. Allowances for credit losses on the entire portfolio are recorded based on historical experience loss rates and the potential impact of anticipated changes in business practices, market dynamics, and economic conditions. Allowances for individual balances are recorded based on the evaluation of customers’ specific circumstances. No interest is accrued on past due financing receivables, which are generally considered past due 30 days after the billing date. Amounts are written off against the allowance for credit losses when determined to be uncollectible.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	The components and changes of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the six-month period ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
	(Millions of dollars)		Total			Foreign Currency			Benefit Plans			Unrealized Losses on
						Translation Adjustments			Adjustments			Cash Flow Hedges
	Balance at September 30, 2014		$	(1,001	)	$	(270	)	$	(705	)	$	(26	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of taxes			(647	)		(638	)		—			(8	)
	Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes (A)			25			—			22			3
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	(1,623	)	$	(908	)	$	(683	)	$	(32	)
	(A)	The reclassification amount related to benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $11 million. The reclassification amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 were $8 million and $17 million, respectively. The benefit plan-related amounts were not reclassified into income in their entirety and these reclassifications were included in the computation of net periodic benefit plan costs. Additional details are provided in Note 8. The reclassification amount related to cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $2 million. The reclassification amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 were $1 million and $2 million, respectively. The cash flow hedge-related reclassification amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were primarily recorded in Interest expense and additional details are provided in Note 11.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares Used in Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands) were as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Average common shares outstanding		196,085		193,609		194,447		193,909
	Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans		3,853		3,879		4,046		4,089
	Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding – assuming dilution		199,938		197,488		198,493		197,998

Segment_Data_Tables

Segment Data (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Information for Company's Segments	Financial information for the Company’s segments was as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			March 31,						March 31,
	(Millions of dollars)		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenues (A)
	Medical		$	1,106		$	1,116		$	2,177		$	2,180
	Life Sciences			945			956			1,925			1,907
	Total Revenues		$	2,051		$	2,072		$	4,102		$	4,086
	Segment Operating Income
	Medical		$	328		$	317		$	632		$	611
	Life Sciences			200			198	(B)		413			432	(B)
	Total Segment Operating Income			528			515			1,045			1,043
	Unallocated Items (C)			(303	)(D)		(152	)(F)		(535	)(E)		(321	)(F)
	Income Before Income Taxes		$	225		$	363		$	510		$	722
	(A)	Intersegment revenues are not material.
	(B)	Includes an $11 million charge that resulted from the early termination of a European distributor agreement as well as a $20 million charge primarily resulting from the discontinuance of an instrument product development program. The development-related charge is largely attributable to capitalized product software, but also includes a lesser amount attributable to fixed assets.
	(C)	Includes primarily interest, net; foreign exchange; corporate expenses; share-based compensation expense; and acquisition-related costs.
	(D)	Includes financing, transaction, integration and restructuring costs associated with the CareFusion acquisition of $58 million, $33 million, $18 million and $62 million, respectively. Additional disclosures regarding this acquisition are provided in Note 9. Also includes an acquisition-date accounting gain of $9 million on the previously held investment in CRISI Medical Systems, Inc. (“CRISI”), which the Company fully acquired in March 2015.
	(E)	Includes financing, transaction, integration and restructuring costs associated with the CareFusion acquisition of $102 million, $43 million, $31 million and $62 million, respectively. Also includes a $12 million charge for RTI’s attorneys’ fees associated with the unfavorable verdict returned in the antitrust and false advertising lawsuit RTI filed against BD. For further discussion, refer to Note 5 in the notes to the financial statements. Additionally includes the acquisition-date accounting gain noted above.
	(F)	Includes an $8 million gain resulting from the Company’s receipt of cash proceeds from the sale of a company in which it held a small equity ownership interest.
Revenues by Geographic Areas	Revenues by geographic areas were as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			March 31,						March 31,
	(Millions of dollars)		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenues
	United States		$	863		$	826		$	1,744		$	1,675
	International			1,188			1,246			2,358			2,412
	Total Revenues		$	2,051		$	2,072		$	4,102		$	4,086

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Assumptions for Estimation of Fair Values of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted During Reporting Periods	The fair values of stock appreciation rights granted during the annual share-based grants in November of 2014 and 2013, respectively, were estimated on the date of grant using a lattice-based binomial valuation model based on the following assumptions:
		2015			2014
	Risk-free interest rate		2.2	%		2.31	%
	Expected volatility		19	%		19	%
	Expected dividend yield		1.78	%		2	%
	Expected life		7.6 years			7.8 years
	Fair value derived	$	24.82		$	19.9

Benefit_Plans_Tables

Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Pension and Postretirement Cost	Net pension and postretirement cost included the following components for the three months ended March 31:
		Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Benefits
	(Millions of dollars)	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	19		$	18		$	1		$	1
	Interest cost		21			23			2			2
	Expected return on plan assets		(30	)		(31	)		—			—
	Amortization of prior service credit		(4	)		(4	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Amortization of loss		17			12			1			1
	Net pension and postretirement cost	$	23		$	18		$	2		$	2
	Net pension and postretirement cost included the following components for the six months ended March 31:
		Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Benefits
	(Millions of dollars)	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	38		$	35		$	2		$	2
	Interest cost		43			46			4			5
	Expected return on plan assets		(61	)		(62	)		—			—
	Amortization of prior service credit		(8	)		(8	)		(2	)		(2	)
	Amortization of loss		34			24			1			1
	Net pension and postretirement cost	$	46		$	35		$	4		$	6

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables) (CareFusion [Member])	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
CareFusion [Member]
Fair Value of Consideration Transferred	The fair value of consideration transferred was $12.538 billion and consisted of the components below.
	(Millions of dollars)
	Cash consideration	$	10,085
	Noncash consideration-fair value of shares issued		2,269
	Noncash consideration-fair value of stock options and other equity awards		184
	Total consideration transferred	$	12,538
Fair Value of Company's Ordinary Shares Issued	The acquisition date fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares issued to CareFusion shareholders was calculated per the following (shares in millions):
	(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
	Total CareFusion shares outstanding		205.3
	Conversion factor		0.0777
	Number of the Company’s shares issued		15.9
	Closing price of the Company’s stock on March 16, 2015	$	142.29
	Fair value of the Company’s issued shares	$	2,269
Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	All of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition have been allocated to the Company’s Medical segment.
	(Millions of dollars)
	Cash and equivalents	$	1,903
	Trade receivables, net		486
	Inventories		822
	Net investment in sales-type leases		1,209
	Property, plant and equipment		496
	Customer relationships		3,550
	Developed technology		2,510
	Trade name and trademarks		450
	Other intangible assets		228
	Other assets		344
	Total identifiable assets acquired		11,998
	Long-term debt		(2,181	)
	Deferred tax liabilities		(3,081	)
	Other liabilities		(760	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(6,022	)
	Net identifiable assets acquired		5,976
	Goodwill		6,562
	Net assets acquired	$	12,538
Summary of Pro Forma Results	The following table provides the pro forma results for the three and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as if CareFusion had been acquired as of October 1, 2013.
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		March 31,					March 31,
	(Millions of dollars, except per share data)	2015			2014		2015		2014
	Revenues	$	3,048		$	3,040	$	6,168	$	5,976
	Net Income	$	273		$	287	$	644	$	560
	Diluted Earnings per Share	$	1.27		$	1.34	$	3	$	2.61

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets consisted of:
			March 31, 2015						September 30, 2014
	(Millions of dollars)		Gross			Accumulated			Gross			Accumulated
			Carrying			Amortization			Carrying			Amortization
			Amount						Amount
	Amortized intangible assets
	Customer relationships		$	3,565		$	2		$	10			2
	Developed technology			3,406			378			893			379
	Product rights			126			31			148			31
	Patents, trademarks, and other			791			186			259			182
	Amortized intangible assets		$	7,888		$	598		$	1,308		$	594
	Unamortized intangible assets
	Acquired in-process research and development		$	264					$	44
	Trademarks			2						2
	Unamortized intangible assets		$	266					$	46
Reconciliation of Goodwill by Business Segment	The following is a reconciliation of goodwill by business segment:
	(Millions of dollars)		Medical			Life Sciences			Total
	Goodwill as of September 30, 2014		$	482		$	608		$	1,090
	Acquisitions			6,569	(A)		64	(B)		6,632
	Currency translation/other (C)			(44	)		(14	)		(58	)
	Goodwill as of March 31, 2015		$	7,006		$	657		$	7,663
	(A)	Primarily represents goodwill recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of CareFusion in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Additional disclosures regarding the CareFusion acquisition are provided in Note 9. Also includes $6 million of goodwill recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of CRISI in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.
	(B)	Represents goodwill recognized upon the Company’s acquisition of GenCell in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.
	(C)	Includes amounts resulting from foreign currency translation as well as acquisition accounting adjustments.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Effects on Consolidated Balance Sheets	Effects on Consolidated Balance Sheets
	The location and amounts of derivative instrument fair values in the consolidated balance sheet are segregated below between designated, qualifying hedging instruments and ones that are not designated for hedge accounting.
	(Millions of dollars)		March 31,				September 30,
			2015				2014
	Asset derivatives-designated for hedge accounting
	Interest rate swaps		$	16			$	3
	Asset derivatives-undesignated for hedge accounting
	Forward exchange contracts			12				20
	Total asset derivatives (A)		$	28			$	23
	Liability derivatives-undesignated for hedge accounting
	Forward exchange contracts			80				14
	Total liability derivatives (B)		$	80			$	14
	(A)	All asset derivatives are included in Prepaid expenses, deferred taxes and other.
	(B)	All liability derivatives are included in Payables and accrued expenses.
Undesignated Hedges	Undesignated hedges
	The location and amount of gains and losses recognized in income on derivatives not designated for hedge accounting were as follows:
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments		Location of Gain		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
			(Loss) Recognized in
			Income on
			Derivatives		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
					March 31,							March 31,
	(Millions of dollars)				2015				2014			2015			2014
	Forward exchange contracts (A)		Other income (expense), net		$	(94	)		$	(1	)	$	(96	)	$	5
	(A)	The gains and losses on forward contracts and currency options utilized to hedge the intercompany transactional foreign exchange exposures are largely offset by gains and losses on the underlying hedged items in Other income (expense), net.

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair1

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Values of Financial Instruments	The fair values of financial instruments, including those not recognized on the statement of financial position at fair value, carried at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are classified in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in the following tables:
				Basis of Fair Value Measurement
	(Millions of dollars)	March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Total		Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
				for Identical		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Assets (Level 1)
	Assets
	Institutional money market investments	$	1,175	$	1,175	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swaps		16		—		16		—
	Forward exchange contracts		12		—		12		—
	Total Assets	$	1,203	$	1,175	$	28	$	—
	Liabilities
	Forward exchange contracts	$	80	$	—	$	80	$	—
	Contingent consideration liabilities		49		—		—		49
	Total Liabilities	$	129	$	—	$	80	$	49
				Basis of Fair Value Measurement
	(Millions of dollars)	September 30,		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		2014		Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
		Total		for Identical		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Assets (Level 1)
	Assets
	Institutional money market investments	$	1,040	$	1,040	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swaps		3		—		3		—
	Forward exchange contracts		20		—		20		—
	Total Assets	$	1,063	$	1,040	$	23	$	—
	Liabilities
	Forward exchange contracts	$	14	$	—	$	14	$	—
	Contingent consideration liabilities		14		—		—		14
	Total Liabilities	$	29	$	—	$	14	$	14

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Senior Unsecured Note Issued	Details regarding this debt issuance were as follows:
	Interest Rate and Maturity	Aggregate
		Principal
		Amount
		(Millions of dollars)
	Floating Rate Notes due June 15, 2016	$	750
	1.800% Notes due December 15, 2017		1,250
	2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019		1,250
	3.734% Notes due December 15, 2024		1,750
	4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044		1,200
	Total long-term debt issued in connection with CareFusion acquisition	$	6,200
	Interest Rate and Maturity	Aggregate		Percentage of
		Principal Amount		Total
		(Millions of dollars)		Outstanding
				Principal
				Amount of such
				Series of
				Existing Notes
	1.450% senior notes due May 15, 2017	$	293		97.64	%
	6.375% senior notes due August 1, 2019		665		95	%
	3.300% senior notes due March 1, 2023		294		97.95	%
	3.875% senior notes due May 15, 2024		397		99.37	%
	4.875% senior notes due May 15, 2044		300		99.96	%
	Total senior notes issued under exchange offer	$	1,949

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance			($1,001)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of taxes			-647
Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes			25
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	-1,623		-1,623
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance			-270
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of taxes			-638
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	-908		-908
Benefit Plans Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance			-705
Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes	11	8	22	17
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	-683		-683
Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance			-26
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of taxes			-8
Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes	2	1	3	2
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	($32)		($32)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified into income			$25
Benefit Plans Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified into income	11	8	22	17
Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified into income	$2	$1	$3	$2

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Tax expense (benefits) associated with reclassification adjustments	$9,000,000	$76,000,000	$58,000,000	$164,000,000
Income tax benefit recorded for losses recognized in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges	0	0	-5,000,000	0
Benefit Plans Adjustments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Tax expense (benefits) associated with reclassification adjustments	($6,000,000)	($4,000,000)	($12,000,000)	($9,000,000)

Earnings_per_Share_Weighted_Av

Earnings per Share - Weighted Average Common Shares Used in Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Average common shares outstanding	196,085	193,609	194,447	193,909
Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans	3,853	3,879	4,046	4,089
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - assuming dilution	199,938	197,488	198,493	197,998

Earnings_per_Share_Additional_

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (CareFusion [Member])	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 17, 2015
CareFusion [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Common shares issued	15.9

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 15, 2015	Nov. 10, 2014	Sep. 19, 2013	Nov. 09, 2009	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event [Member] | United States of America [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Duty percentage rate							45.30%
Subsequent Event [Member] | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Duty percentage rate							86.50%
RTI Technologies [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded	$12		$113.50	$5
Pre-tax charge relating to an unfavorable litigation verdict					$341
Percentage of reduction in total fee recovery		50.00%
CareFusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Acquisition agreement date						5-Oct-14

Segment_Data_Additional_Inform

Segment Data - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of principal business segments	2

Segment_Data_Financial_Informa

Segment Data - Financial Information for Company's Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$2,051	$2,072	$4,102	$4,086
Income Before Income Taxes	225	363	510	722
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income Before Income Taxes	528	515	1,045	1,043
Corporate and All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income Before Income Taxes	-303	-152	-535	-321
Medical [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,106	1,116	2,177	2,180
Income Before Income Taxes	328	317	632	611
Life Sciences [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	945	956	1,925	1,907
Income Before Income Taxes	$200	$198	$413	$432

Segment_Data_Financial_Informa1

Segment Data - Financial Information for Company's Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
CareFusion [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing costs	$58	$102
Transaction costs	33	43
Integration costs	18	31
Restructuring costs	62	62
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Charge resulted from termination			11	11
Charge from discontinuance			20	20
Corporate and All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain on sale of small equity ownership interest			8	8
Corporate and All Other [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing costs	58	102
Transaction costs	33	43
Integration costs	18	31
Restructuring costs	62	62
Corporate and All Other [Member] | CRISI Medical Systems Inc [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition-date accounting gain	9	9
Corporate and All Other [Member] | RTI Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase in loss contingency accrual, relative to RTI matter		$12

Segment_Data_Revenues_by_Geogr

Segment Data - Revenues by Geographic Areas (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$2,051	$2,072	$4,102	$4,086
United States of America [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Revenues	863	826	1,744	1,675
International [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$1,188	$1,246	$2,358	$2,412

ShareBased_Compensation_Assump

Share-Based Compensation - Assumptions for Estimation of Fair Values of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted During Reporting Periods (Detail) (Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	2.20%	2.31%
Expected volatility	19.00%	19.00%
Expected dividend yield	1.78%	2.00%
Expected life	7 years 7 months 6 days	7 years 9 months 18 days
Fair value derived	$24.82	$19.90

ShareBased_Compensation_Additi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$44	$25	$92	$67
Unrecognized compensation expense for all non-vested share-based awards	247		247
Weighted-average remaining life non-vested share-based awards			2 years 1 month 6 days
CareFusion [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	18		18
Unrecognized compensation expense for all non-vested share-based awards	$70		$70
Non-vested CareFusion replacement awards outstanding	3		3

Benefit_Plans_Net_Pension_and_

Benefit Plans - Net Pension and Postretirement Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$19	$18	$38	$35
Interest cost	21	23	43	46
Expected return on plan assets	-30	-31	-61	-62
Amortization of prior service credit	-4	-4	-8	-8
Amortization of loss	17	12	34	24
Net pension and postretirement cost	23	18	46	35
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1	1	2	2
Interest cost	2	2	4	5
Amortization of prior service credit	-1	-1	-2	-2
Amortization of loss	1	1	1	1
Net pension and postretirement cost	$2	$2	$4	$6

Benefit_Plans_Additional_Infor

Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Postemployment benefit costs	$10		$12	$21	$23
Charge associated with workforce reduction actions		36
Workforce reduction costs remaining liability	17			17
CareFusion [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee termination costs	62			62
CareFusion [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee termination costs	34			34
Employee termination liability	$4			$4

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (CareFusion [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 17, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 17, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest acquired	100.00%			100.00%
Cash value of stock received under the agreement	$49			$49
Number of shares issued for each share of acquiree	0.0777			0.0777
Acquisition agreement date			5-Oct-14
Acquisition-date fair value of consideration transferred net of in cash acquired	$12,538,000,000
Liability for product recalls		36,000,000	36,000,000
Portion of goodwill from acquisition expected to be deductible for tax purposes		0	0
Financing costs		58,000,000	102,000,000
Transaction costs		33,000,000	43,000,000
Integration costs		18,000,000	31,000,000
Restructuring costs		62,000,000	62,000,000
Pro forma date of acquisition		1-Oct-13
Employee Severance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring costs		34,000,000	34,000,000
Share Based Compensation Related [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring costs		18,000,000	18,000,000
Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring costs		10,000,000	10,000,000
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Risk-adjusted discount rate			11.00%
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Risk-adjusted discount rate			11.00%
Weighted average amortization period, expected useful life			15 years
Developed Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Risk-adjusted discount rate			11.00%
Weighted average amortization period, expected useful life			12 years
In-Process Research and Development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Risk-adjusted discount rate			12.00%
Acquired in-process research and development		$150,000,000	$150,000,000
In-Process Research and Development [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Technological and commercial risk			80.00%
Expected fiscal year of project launch			2016
In-Process Research and Development [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Technological and commercial risk			85.00%
Expected fiscal year of project launch			2022

Acquisitions_Fair_Value_of_Con

Acquisitions - Fair Value of Consideration Transferred (Detail) (CareFusion [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 17, 2015
CareFusion [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	$10,085
Noncash consideration-fair value of shares issued	2,269
Noncash consideration-fair value of stock options and other equity awards	184
Total consideration transferred	$12,538

Acquisitions_Fair_Value_of_Com

Acquisitions - Fair Value of Company's Ordinary Shares Issued (Detail) (CareFusion [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 17, 2015	Mar. 17, 2015	Mar. 16, 2015
CareFusion [Member]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Total CareFusion shares outstanding	205,300,000	205,300,000
Conversion factor	0.0777	0.0777
Number of the Company's shares issued	15,900,000
Closing price of the Company's stock on March 16, 2015			$142.29
Fair value of the Company's issued shares	$2,269

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Assets

Acquisitions - Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (CareFusion [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 17, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net investment in sales-type leases		$1,209
Long-term debt	-2,181
Net assets acquired	12,538
Medical [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents		1,903
Trade receivables, net		486
Inventories		822
Net investment in sales-type leases		1,209
Property, plant and equipment		496
Customer relationships		3,550
Developed technology		2,510
Trade name and trademarks		450
Other intangible assets		228
Other assets		344
Total identifiable assets acquired		11,998
Long-term debt		-2,181
Deferred tax liabilities		-3,081
Other liabilities		-760
Total liabilities assumed		-6,022
Net identifiable assets acquired		5,976
Goodwill		6,562
Net assets acquired		$12,538

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Pro_Fo

Acquisitions - Summary of Pro Forma Results (Detail) (CareFusion [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CareFusion [Member]
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$3,048	$3,040	$6,168	$5,976
Net Income	$273	$287	$644	$560
Diluted Earnings per Share	$1.27	$1.34	$3	$2.61

Intangible_Assets_Components_o

Intangible Assets - Components of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$7,888	$1,308
Accumulated Amortization	598	594
Unamortized intangible assets, Total	266	46
Acquired In-Process Research and Development [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized intangible assets, Total	264	44
Trademarks [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized intangible assets, Total	2	2
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,565	10
Accumulated Amortization	2	2
Developed Technology [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,406	893
Accumulated Amortization	378	379
Product Rights [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	126	148
Accumulated Amortization	31	31
Patents, Trademarks, and Other [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	791	259
Accumulated Amortization	$186	$182

Intangible_Assets_Additional_I

Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible amortization expense	$20	$21	$40	$42
GenCell Biosystems [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increase in intangible assets					81
CRISI Medical Systems Inc [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increase in intangible assets	$49		$49

Intangible_Assets_Reconciliati

Intangible Assets - Reconciliation of Goodwill by Business Segment (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$1,090
Acquisitions	6,632
Currency translation/other	-58
Goodwill, ending balance	7,663
Medical [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	482
Acquisitions	6,569
Currency translation/other	-44
Goodwill, ending balance	7,006
Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	608
Acquisitions	64
Currency translation/other	-14
Goodwill, ending balance	$657

Intangible_Assets_Reconciliati1

Intangible Assets - Reconciliation of Goodwill by Business Segment (Parenthetical) (Detail) (CRISI Medical Systems Inc [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
CRISI Medical Systems Inc [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill acquisition	$6

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 14, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Reclassification of terminated interest rate swaps to interest expense within the next 12 months	$6,000,000	$6,000,000
Fixed to Floating Interest Rate Swaps Agreements [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount	375,000,000	375,000,000			375,000,000
Interest rate	3.13%	3.13%
Interest rate swap agreement conversion description		The outstanding swaps represent fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements the Company entered into, in March and September 2014, to convert the interest payments on $375 million of the Company's 3.125% notes, due November 8, 2021, from the fixed rate to a floating interest rate based on LIBOR.
Financial instruments related to hedges, maturity date		8-Nov-21
Gain recorded on fair value hedges	6,000,000	16,000,000
Offsetting loss recorded on underlying debt	6,000,000	16,000,000
Commodity Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0			0
Forward Exchange Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount	2,600,000,000	2,600,000,000			1,800,000,000
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount						2,300,000,000
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0			0
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	$0	($8,000,000)	$0	$0

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Effects on Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives	$28	$23
Liability derivatives	80	14
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives	16	3
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Forward Exchange Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives	12	20
Liability derivatives	$80	$14

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Undesignated Hedges (Detail) (Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member], Forward Exchange Contracts [Member], Other Income (Expense), Net [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Forward Exchange Contracts [Member] | Other Income (Expense), Net [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	($94)	($1)	($96)	$5

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair2

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Institutional money market investments	$1,175	$1,040
Interest rate swaps	16	3
Forward exchange contracts	12	20
Total Assets	1,203	1,063
Liabilities
Forward exchange contracts	80	14
Contingent consideration liabilities	49	14
Total Liabilities	129	29
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets
Institutional money market investments	1,175	1,040
Total Assets	1,175	1,040
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets
Interest rate swaps	16	3
Forward exchange contracts	12	20
Total Assets	28	23
Liabilities
Forward exchange contracts	80	14
Total Liabilities	80	14
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Liabilities
Contingent consideration liabilities	49	14
Total Liabilities	$49	$14

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair3

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Remaining cash equivalents	$737,000,000		$737,000,000		$821,000,000
Maturity period of cash equivalents at the time of purchase			Three months or less
Fair value of long-term debt	12,800,000,000		12,800,000,000		4,100,000,000
Transfer of assets in and out of level 1, 2 and 3 measurements during the period	0	0	0	0
Transfer of liabilities in and out of level 1, 2 and 3 measurements during the period	0	0	0	0
GenCell Biosystems [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability recognized in connection with acquisition	$36,000,000		$36,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Maturity period of short-term investments at the time of purchase			3 months
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Maturity period of short-term investments at the time of purchase			1 year

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Mar. 17, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 05, 2014
CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value	$2,000,000,000
Acquired long term debt, fair value			2,181,000,000
Aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding	51,000,000
Commercial Paper Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	1,000,000,000
Short term borrowings	700,000,000
Commercial Paper Program [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper proceeds used to finance acquisition	500,000,000
Former Commercial Paper Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short term borrowings	0			200,000,000
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	1,000,000,000
Short term borrowings	1,000,000,000
Short term debt description	Also in December 2014, the Company entered into a 364-day term loan agreement that provides for a $1 billion term loan facility, the proceeds under which could only be used to pay the cash consideration due pursuant to the CareFusion acquisition agreement, as well as to pay financing fees, other related fees and other expenses associated with the CareFusion acquisition.
Bridge Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bridge loan financing,to fund cash portion of payment to acquire business	0				9,100,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment		650,000,000
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value	$6,200,000,000

Debt_Schedule_of_Senior_Unsecu

Debt - Schedule of Senior Unsecured Note Issued (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount	$12,128,000,000	$3,768,000,000
CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount	6,200,000,000
Floating Rate Notes due June 15, 2016 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount	750,000,000
1.800% Notes due December 15, 2017 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount	1,250,000,000
2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount	1,250,000,000
3.734% Notes due December 15, 2024 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount	1,750,000,000
4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount	1,200,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount			1,949,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | 1.450% Senior Notes due May 15, 2017 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount			293,000,000
Percentage of Total Outstanding Principal Amount of such Series of Existing Notes			97.64%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 6.375% Senior Notes due August 1, 2019 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount			665,000,000
Percentage of Total Outstanding Principal Amount of such Series of Existing Notes			95.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 3.300% Senior Notes due March 1, 2023 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount			294,000,000
Percentage of Total Outstanding Principal Amount of such Series of Existing Notes			97.95%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 3.875% Senior Notes due May 15, 2024 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount			397,000,000
Percentage of Total Outstanding Principal Amount of such Series of Existing Notes			99.37%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes due May 15, 2044 [Member] | CareFusion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal Amount			$300,000,000
Percentage of Total Outstanding Principal Amount of such Series of Existing Notes			99.96%

Debt_Schedule_of_Senior_Unsecu1

Debt - Schedule of Senior Unsecured Note Issued (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Floating Rate Notes due June 15, 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Jun-16
1.800% Notes due December 15, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	1.80%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Dec-17
2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	2.68%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Dec-19
3.734% Notes due December 15, 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	3.73%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Dec-24
4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	4.69%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Dec-44
Subsequent Event [Member] | 1.450% Senior Notes due May 15, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate		1.45%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		15-May-17
Subsequent Event [Member] | 6.375% Senior Notes due August 1, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate		6.38%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		1-Aug-19
Subsequent Event [Member] | 3.300% Senior Notes due March 1, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate		3.30%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		1-Mar-23
Subsequent Event [Member] | 3.875% Senior Notes due May 15, 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate		3.88%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		15-May-24
Subsequent Event [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes due May 15, 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate		4.88%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		15-May-44

Financing_Receivables_Addition

Financing Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (CareFusion [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
CareFusion [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net investment in sales-type leases	$1,209