Cerebral thrombolysis is a therapeutic option for patients with acute cerebral infarction, but its use can be limited by delayed hospital admission. The aim of this study was to examine this delay, to improve admission routines and thus increase the number of potential candidates for treatment. In the first part of the study, time from first symptoms until hospital admission (time from first symptoms to contact with the primary health care system, and from contact to admission) was registered for 100 patients with acute stroke. Time spent to cerebral CT scan, and within the hospital was also registered. Measures to shorten admission time were then instituted, including information to the public and to primary health care professionals. An identical study was then performed on another 124 patients. Referral procedures were significantly improved, whereas time taken for patients to contact the primary health care system remained unchanged. Direct contact by emergency telephone secured the fastest admissions. The number of patients admitted within two hours after stroke onset increased from 17% to 26%. Four patients (3%) were treated with thrombolysis. Our study indicates that improved admission routines reduce admission delay. More public information is necessary to change patient behaviour.