An anchoring system includes a device which permits a portion of a catheter or similarmedical article to be easily anchored to a patient, desirably without the useof tape or needles and suture. The anchoring system comprises an anchor pad anda retainer mounted upon the anchor pad. The retainer includes at least one clipforming at least a portion of a central channel and that moves generally in a lateraldirection to capture the medical article to be retained. In certain embodiments,the clip moves in lateral and transverse directions between closed and open positions.The medical article is secured within the central channel. The channel may havea straight or tapering shape depending on the medical article to be retained.
