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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
18 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 15, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, face amount $ 1,200us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount $ 1,200us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount $ 1,200us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount      
To be Retired in Q1 and Q2 2015 [Member]            
Derivative [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, face amount 1,300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ dgx_TriggeringEventAxis
= dgx_TobeRetiredinQ1andQ22015Member
1,300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ dgx_TriggeringEventAxis
= dgx_TobeRetiredinQ1andQ22015Member
1,300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ dgx_TriggeringEventAxis
= dgx_TobeRetiredinQ1andQ22015Member
     
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps [Member]            
Derivative [Line Items]            
Gain (loss) on derivatives (17)us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPretaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dgx_ForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember
         
Treasury Lock [Member]            
Derivative [Line Items]            
Gain (loss) on derivatives   3us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPretaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryLockMember
       
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]            
Derivative [Line Items]            
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives         150invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
 
Accumulated net loss from designated or qualifying cash flow hedges 14dgx_AccumulatedNetGainLossfromDesignatedorQualifyingCashFlowHedges
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
14dgx_AccumulatedNetGainLossfromDesignatedorQualifyingCashFlowHedges
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
14dgx_AccumulatedNetGainLossfromDesignatedorQualifyingCashFlowHedges
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
15dgx_AccumulatedNetGainLossfromDesignatedorQualifyingCashFlowHedges
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
   
Net amount of deferred gains and losses on cash flow hedges that is expected to be reclassified within the next 12 months     3us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
     
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Treasury Lock [Member]            
Derivative [Line Items]            
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives           350invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryLockMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Economic Hedges [Member] | Reverse Treasury Locks [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]            
Derivative [Line Items]            
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives           280invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dgx_ReverseTreasuryLocksMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= dgx_EconomicHedgesMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Economic Hedges [Member] | Reverse Treasury Locks [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Operating (Income) Expense [Member]            
Derivative [Line Items]            
Gain on derivative     $ 3us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGain
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dgx_ReverseTreasuryLocksMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= dgx_EconomicHedgesMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseMember