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Represents the percentage of shares of new business will be received from Mylan as the price for sale of developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business.

No definition available.

Name:	abt_ConsiderationReceivedForSaleOfBusinessInSharesAsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the period for providing various back office support transition services as per agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	abt_PeriodForProvidingBackOfficeSupportTransitionServicesUnderAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the period for providing certain manufacturing supply of products as per agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	abt_PeriodForProvidingManufacturingSupplyOfProductsUnderAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the period of notice required to terminate agreement for providing certain manufacturing supply of products.

No definition available.

Name:	abt_PeriodOfNoticeRequiredToTerminateManufacturingSupplyOfProducts
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
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Represents number of shares in investment is sold.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount after tax of gain (loss) not previously recognized resulting from the disposal of a discontinued operation.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of consideration received or receivable for the disposal of assets and liabilities, including discontinued operation.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of equity securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading or available-for-sale. This element includes investments in which the entity holds a small ownership stake (generally, less than 20% of the shares outstanding) and cannot exert significant influence.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a portion of the company's business, for example a segment, division, branch or other business, during the period.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a business segment or subsidiary or sale of an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled during the period (for example, an unconsolidated subsidiary, affiliate, joint venture or equity method investment).

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Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=abt_DevelopedMarketsBrandedGenericsPharmaceuticalsBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=abt_AnimalHealthBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=abt_MylanMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
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