English summary: RESULTS FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY OF ACUTE STROKE CARE IN FINLAND The first national audit of the organization of acute stroke care services in Finland was performed in 2003 to 2004 by the Stroke and Dysphasia Federation in Finland. Hospital services were identified through diagnosis-related groups in the national hospital discharge registry, which was used to collect outcome data. All 36 hospitals reporting at least 20 cases of discharge per year of previously independent patients with acute stroke were selected and visited by a neurologist. Structured questionnaires and telephone interviews were used to assess 237 communal health care centers or hospitals, 250 EMS and 24 dispatch centres.