Name:	abt_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximumAggregateSites
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The estimated maximum loss, per individual site, from the contingency related to the environmental clean up in the United States and Puerto Rico.

No definition available.

Name:	abt_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximumIndividualSite
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482425/460-10-50-3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9

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

Amount of loss contingency liability.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-10

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.