A universal grip catheter apparatus comprising: a catheter adapter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end supporting a catheter, the catheter adapter further including a securement platform that includes at least one wing-like extension, the securement platform having a planar surface; and a needle hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end slidably coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter, the proximal end of the needle hub further including a needle, wherein the needle extends through a central portion of the needle hub and a central portion of the catheter adapter, whereupon a tip of the needle extends beyond a tip portion of the catheter, the needle hub includes a distal rigid or semi-flexible extension forming a paddle grip having upper and lower gripping surfaces (32, 34) and extending outwardly from the needle hub, wherein the paddle grip is positioned adjacent to a body portion of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, characterized in that the wing-like extension is positioned opposite the paddle grip, and the needle hub includes a first gripping surface and an oppositely positioned second gripping surface, wherein an outwardly extending portion of the first gripping surface includes a first guard feature, wherein an outwardly extending portion of the second gripping surface includes a second guard feature, wherein the first guard feature is interposed between the first gripping surface and the catheter adapter, wherein the second guard feature is interposed between the second gripping surface and the catheter adapter, wherein the first and second guard features are located on an outer surface of the needle hub, wherein the first and second guard features provide a physical barrier to prevent a user from contacting the catheter adapter. a catheter adapter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end supporting a catheter, the catheter adapter further including a securement platform that includes at least one wing-like extension, the securement platform having a planar surface; and a needle hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end slidably coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter, the proximal end of the needle hub further including a needle, wherein the needle extends through a central portion of the needle hub and a central portion of the catheter adapter, whereupon a tip of the needle extends beyond a tip portion of the catheter, the needle hub includes a distal rigid or semi-flexible extension forming a paddle grip having upper and lower gripping surfaces (32, 34) and extending outwardly from the needle hub, wherein the paddle grip is positioned adjacent to a body portion of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, characterized in that the wing-like extension is positioned opposite the paddle grip, and the needle hub includes a first gripping surface and an oppositely positioned second gripping surface, wherein an outwardly extending portion of the first gripping surface includes a first guard feature, wherein an outwardly extending portion of the second gripping surface includes a second guard feature, wherein the first guard feature is interposed between the first gripping surface and the catheter adapter, wherein the second guard feature is interposed between the second gripping surface and the catheter adapter, wherein the first and second guard features are located on an outer surface of the needle hub, wherein the first and second guard features provide a physical barrier to prevent a user from contacting the catheter adapter.