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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.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), carrying amount of deferred income taxes (net of any valuation allowances), and assets not otherwise specified.

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), carrying value of post-employment obligations, deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities.

No definition available.

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Amount classified as prepaid assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

No definition available.

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

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), carrying amount of prepaid expenses, deferred income taxes (net of any valuation allowances), and receivables not otherwise specified.

No definition available.

Name:	abt_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidExpensesDeferredIncomeTaxesAndOtherCurrentReceivables
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), carrying value of obligations incurred through that date and payable arising from transactions of salaries, wages, commissions and other accrued liabilities.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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Represents the period for providing various back office support transition services as per agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	abt_PeriodForProvidingBackOfficeSupportTransitionServicesUnderAgreement
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Represents the period for providing certain manufacturing supply of products as per agreement.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Represents the period of notice required to terminate agreement for providing certain manufacturing supply of products.

No definition available.

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Amount classified as assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Amount classified as assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount of gain (loss), after tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

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Amount classified as accounts, notes and loans receivable attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

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Amount classified as accounts payable attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Amount classified as assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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

No definition available.

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Amount classified as goodwill attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Amount classified as intangible assets, excluding goodwill, attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Amount classified as property, plant and equipment attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.12)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 13

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

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-Paragraph 1

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-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.14)

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Article 5

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Amount classified as inventory attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount classified as liabilities attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Amount classified as liabilities attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount classified as liabilities attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

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