The present invention relates to a safety clip device for shielding andretaining a tip of an introducer needle followinginsertion of a vascular catheter. The safety clip device includes a sleevehaving an interlock system for locking together thesleeve and the catheter adapter. The sleeve houses a safety clip wherein aportion of the introducer needle extends through thesafety clip and is pinched between arm portions of the safety clip. As the tipof the introducer needle is withdrawn from thecatheter adapter, the tip of the introducer needle is retained in the safetyclip, whereafter the safety clip is retained within thesleeve and the sleeve is released from the catheter adapter for safe disposal.
