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Period Type:	duration

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of cash inflow from contractual arrangement with the lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 230
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-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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The cash inflow from a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow for a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
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-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Topic 944
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-Section S99
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16)(a)(1))
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Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
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-Section S99
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Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=abt_StJudeMedicalInc.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=abt_AlereIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=abt_BridgeLoanFor120DayPeriodMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=abt_YenDenominatedDebt364DayMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Period Type: