Competencies of ambulance crews

The majority of interventions conducted by the Integrated Rescue System (IRS) necessitate the involvement of paramedic crews. Such incidents are less frequently the subject of their involvement. They are transported to the scene of the intervention by ambulances of the rapid medical service, which also serve to provide health care to patients with acute illness or injury and also to expedite the transport of patients to medical facilities. Not only the timely arrival of paramedic crews to the scene of the intervention, but also the competences of the ambulance crews have a fundamental impact on the adequate and successful resolution of an emergency associated with saving human life and health. This article aims to elucidate the competencies of paramedics in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, thereby identifying the strengths and weaknesses inherent to the functioning of the systems that provide emergency medical care. The objective of this study is to compare the possibilities and competencies of paramedics at the scene of an intervention, both in terms of the procedures they can perform and the drugs they can administer independently or on the doctor’s indication. In conclusion, this article proposes improvements to the competencies of paramedics in Slovakia.