A stabilizing device (and method of use) for insertion and maintenance of a catheter or cannula maintains a sterile insertion site and is simple and easy to construct and use, yet optimally maintains the catheter or cannula in place. A first stabilizing element includes a pair of bilateral wings and a catheter or cannula receiving element generally between the wings. A proximal stabilizing element—desirably two distinct and spaced pieces of tape—is operatively connected to the wings and has a sterile adhesive for affixing the wings to a patient to provide stability during needle removal and substantially for the duration that the catheter or cannula is inserted into a patient. A lateral stabilizing element—desirably two pieces of tape—is distinct and spaced from the proximal stabilizing element, to provide primarily lateral and medial stability to a catheter or cannula in a patient. A release sheet may cover the tape adhesive, or the tape may have a pattern of adhesive and non-adhesive sections cooperating with each other. Butterfly catheter, or angiocatheter, embodiments are particularly desirable.
