Name:	abt_ExcessTaxExpenseBenefitFromShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

IRS Statutory Notice of Deficiency, Claim Amount

No definition available.

Name:	abt_IRSStatutoryNoticeOfDeficiencyClaimAmount
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of decrease reasonably possible in the next twelve months for the unrecognized tax benefit.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (d)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482685/740-10-50-15

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

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of increase (decrease) to previously recorded tax expense. Includes, but is not limited to, significant settlements of income tax disputes, and unusual tax positions or infrequent actions taken by the entity, including tax assessment reversal, and IRS tax settlement.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 8
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482620/740-10-25-8

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 10
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482620/740-10-25-10

Name:	us-gaap_TaxAdjustmentsSettlementsAndUnusualProvisions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of unrecognized tax benefits.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482685/740-10-50-15A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482525/740-10-45-10B