Objective To develop an evidence-based practice protocol for the prevention and management of cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors based on the best available evidence and evaluate its application effect.

Methods Summarizing the best evidence for the prevention and management of cirAEs, and guided by the i-PARIHS knowledge translation model in combination with clinical context, this study screened the best evidence and developed an evidence-based practice protocol, and implemented the evidence into clinical practice. A total of 23 nurses from the oncology ward of a tertiary grade A hospital in Anhui Province were selected as the study subjects to evaluate their compliance with review indicators, applying pre-post self-comparison. Sixty-five patients receiving ICIs treatment from November 2023 and April 2024 were selected as a baseline review group (control group), with May to October 2024 as the evidence-based practice period, and 62 patients (observation group) were enrolled, applying non-concurrent comparison to evaluate the evidence-based practice's effectiveness. The patients and nurses in the two groups were assessed for evidence translation outcomes in terms of process, outcome, and structural indicators before and after the evidence-based practice.

Results The implementation rate of review indicators of nurse increased from 0–47.7% to 78.3%–100% (P ＜ 0.01), and the qualification rate of nurses' knowledge of cirAEs increased from 25% to 85% (P ＜ 0.01). Compared with the control group, the patients in the observation group showed a decrease in the severity of cirAEs, improvement in symptom burden, dermatology life quality index, and quality of life, shortened reporting time, and improved reporting accuracy, and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05 to P ＜ 0.01).

Conclusions Implementing the evidence-based practice for cirAEs prevention and management provided references for clinical decision-making, enhanced healthcare professionals' knowledge level and compliance with revies indicators, effectively reduced the severity of cirAEs, improved reporting efficiency for cirAEs, and enhanced patients’ quality of life.