A universal grip catheter apparatus comprising: a catheter adapter having a distal end and a proximal end , the distal end supporting a catheter , the distal end further including a securement platform occupying a first side of the catheter adapter and including at least one wing-like extension; a needle tip shield having a distal end and a proximal end , said needle tip shield distal end removably coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter ; and a needle hub having a distal end and a proximal end , said needle hub distal end slidably coupled to the proximal end of the needle tip shield , said proximal end of the needle hub further including a needle , wherein the needle extends through a central portion of the needle hub , a central portion of the needle tip shield , and a central portion of the catheter adapter , whereupon a tip of the needle extends beyond a tip portion of the catheter , characterized in that the needle hub includes a distal rigid or semi-flexible extension forming a paddle grip having upper and lower gripping surfaces , positioned adjacent to the body portion of the catheter adapter and extending outwardly from said needle hub distal end in a distal direction and in a position adjacent to a second side of the catheter adapter opposite said first side of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, and said wing-like extension is positioned opposite the paddle grip and said distal end of the needle hub further includes a guard feature located on an outer surface of the needle hub, so as to be interposed between oppositely positioned first and second gripping surfaces and the catheter adapter, thereby providing a physical barrier to prevent the user's grip from extending beyond the needle hub to contact the needle tip shield or the catheter adapter . a catheter adapter having a distal end and a proximal end , the distal end supporting a catheter , the distal end further including a securement platform occupying a first side of the catheter adapter and including at least one wing-like extension; a needle tip shield having a distal end and a proximal end , said needle tip shield distal end removably coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter ; and a needle hub having a distal end and a proximal end , said needle hub distal end slidably coupled to the proximal end of the needle tip shield , said proximal end of the needle hub further including a needle , wherein the needle extends through a central portion of the needle hub , a central portion of the needle tip shield , and a central portion of the catheter adapter , whereupon a tip of the needle extends beyond a tip portion of the catheter , characterized in that the needle hub includes a distal rigid or semi-flexible extension forming a paddle grip having upper and lower gripping surfaces , positioned adjacent to the body portion of the catheter adapter and extending outwardly from said needle hub distal end in a distal direction and in a position adjacent to a second side of the catheter adapter opposite said first side of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, and having upper and lower gripping surfaces , positioned adjacent to the body portion of the catheter adapter and extending outwardly from said needle hub distal end in a distal direction and in a position adjacent to a second side of the catheter adapter opposite said first side of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, and said wing-like extension is positioned opposite the paddle grip and said distal end of the needle hub further includes a guard feature located on an outer surface of the needle hub, so as to be interposed between oppositely positioned first and second gripping surfaces and the catheter adapter, thereby providing a physical barrier to prevent the user's grip from extending beyond the needle hub to contact the needle tip shield or the catheter adapter . <EOS>