Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,996,948	$ 6,812,820
Investments, primarily time deposits and certificates of deposit	3,507,574	1,284,539
Trade receivables, less allowances of $417,371 in 2012 and $420,579 in 2011	6,948,714	7,683,920
Inventories:
Finished products	2,500,368	2,220,527
Work in process	530,464	432,358
Materials	783,424	631,364
Total inventories	3,814,256	3,284,249
Prepaid expenses, deferred income taxes, and other receivables	4,996,752	4,703,246
Total Current Assets	27,264,244	23,768,774
Investments	380,383	378,225
Property and Equipment, at Cost	18,629,832	18,016,565
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	10,669,184	10,142,610
Net Property and Equipment	7,960,648	7,873,955
Intangible Assets, net of amortization	8,959,751	9,989,636
Goodwill	15,708,924	15,705,380
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets	2,983,788	2,560,923
Total Assets	63,257,738	60,276,893
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	3,206,147	2,347,859
Trade accounts payable	1,605,202	1,721,127
Salaries, wages and commissions	1,395,860	1,260,121
Other accrued liabilities	7,542,305	7,854,994
Dividends payable	808,256	754,284
Income taxes payable	709,364	514,947
Current portion of long-term debt	1,018,844	1,026,896
Total Current Liabilities	16,285,978	15,480,228
Long-term Debt	12,054,640	12,039,822
Post-employment Obligations, Deferred Income Taxes and Other Long-term Liabilities	7,812,779	8,230,698
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Investment:
Preferred shares, one dollar par value Authorized - 1,000,000 shares, none issued
Common shares, without par value Authorized - 2,400,000,000 shares Issued at stated capital amount - Shares: 2012: 1,670,540,288; 2011: 1,638,870,201	11,418,613	9,817,134
Common shares held in treasury, at cost - Shares: 2012: 89,872,551; 2011: 68,491,382	(4,975,279)	(3,687,478)
Earnings employed in the business	23,326,756	20,907,362
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,755,915)	(2,597,185)
Total Abbott Shareholders' Investment	27,014,175	24,439,833
Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries	90,166	86,312
Total Shareholders' Investment	27,104,341	24,526,145
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment	$ 63,257,738	$ 60,276,893