OBJECTIVES: Published studies have shown DBS is an effective therapy in patients suffering from movement disorders. Previous studies report infection rates between 2.8% and 9.1%. This research aims to explore the infection rate for DBS patients and identify risk factors for infection using administrative claims data. METHODS: Data from the Truven MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Medicare Supplemental databases were used to identify patients with a DBS generator implant  during the calendar years 2009 – 2013 (n=6,866). The date of the first observed DBS generator implant defined the index date for each patient. Patients were continuously enrolled for at least 24 months (12 months before and 12 months after the index date) (n=1,700). A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the infection rate at 90-days post-implant. Patient demographics, most common comorbidities, and clinical characteristics were examined using t-test, chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. A logistic regression was performed to characterize the risk factors for infection.  RESULTS: Overall, 5.29% of DBS patients had an infection within 90 days after index date. A descriptive analysis found patients with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (p=0.0430), hypertension (p=0.0451), pain (p=0.0009), and evidence of infection within 12 months prior to index (p<0.0001) have a significantly increased likelihood of getting an infection. Using logistic regression, patients with pain (OR, 3.128; 95% CI: 1.394-7.019; p=0.0057), and previous infection in the 12-month period before index date (OR, 3.201; 95% CI: 1.882-5.445; p<0.0001) are more likely to have an infection within 90 days after index date. CONCLUSIONS: Using a large administrative dataset, 5.29% of DBS-implanted patients were found to have an infection 90 days following implant. Factors identified that increased the risk of infection include pain and prior evidence of infection. This analysis highlights a need for further infection control practices when performing DBS implants. Future research is needed to guide clinical decision making.