diff --git a/execution_engine/converter/criterion.py b/execution_engine/converter/criterion.py
index b70b7b98..a88c9c84 100644
--- a/execution_engine/converter/criterion.py
+++ b/execution_engine/converter/criterion.py
@@ -99,10 +99,14 @@ def parse_value(
             eps = float(value_numeric) / 1e5
             match value.comparator:
                 case "<=" | "<":
-                    value_max = value_numeric - (eps if value.comparator == "<" else 0)
+                    value_max = float(value_numeric) - (
+                        eps if value.comparator == "<" else 0
+                    )
                     value_numeric = None
                 case ">=" | ">":
-                    value_min = value_numeric + (eps if value.comparator == "<" else 0)
+                    value_min = float(value_numeric) + (
+                        eps if value.comparator == "<" else 0
+                    )
                     value_numeric = None
                 case _:
                     raise ValueError(f'Unknown quantity operator: "{value.comparator}"')
diff --git a/execution_engine/converter/parser/fhir_parser_v1.py b/execution_engine/converter/parser/fhir_parser_v1.py
index 40b21d7d..bd4bd277 100644
--- a/execution_engine/converter/parser/fhir_parser_v1.py
+++ b/execution_engine/converter/parser/fhir_parser_v1.py
@@ -79,6 +79,9 @@ def parse_time_from_event(
 
         new_combo = converter.to_temporal_combination(combo)
 
+        if not isinstance(new_combo, CriterionCombination):
+            raise ValueError(f"Expected CriterionCombination, got {type(new_combo)}")
+
         return new_combo
 
     def parse_characteristics(self, ev: EvidenceVariable) -> CriterionCombination:
diff --git a/execution_engine/omop/sqlclient.py b/execution_engine/omop/sqlclient.py
index eace72ae..b5488029 100644
--- a/execution_engine/omop/sqlclient.py
+++ b/execution_engine/omop/sqlclient.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 import pandas as pd
 import sqlalchemy
-from sqlalchemy import and_, bindparam, event, func, select, text
+from sqlalchemy import NullPool, and_, bindparam, event, func, select, text
 from sqlalchemy.engine.interfaces import DBAPIConnection
 from sqlalchemy.pool import ConnectionPoolEntry
 from sqlalchemy.sql import Insert, Select
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ def __init__(
         result_schema: str,
         timezone: str = "Europe/Berlin",
         disable_triggers: bool = False,
+        null_pool: bool = False,
     ) -> None:
         """Initialize the OMOP SQL client."""
 
@@ -97,6 +98,9 @@ def __init__(
             connection_string,
             connect_args={"options": "-csearch_path={}".format(self._data_schema)},
             future=True,
+            poolclass=(
+                NullPool if null_pool else None
+            ),  # <--- ensures no persistent pool
         )
 
         if disable_triggers:
diff --git a/execution_engine/omop/vocabulary.py b/execution_engine/omop/vocabulary.py
index 8c212ee1..d55156f9 100644
--- a/execution_engine/omop/vocabulary.py
+++ b/execution_engine/omop/vocabulary.py
@@ -110,6 +110,15 @@ class ICD10GM(AbstractStandardVocabulary):
     omop_vocab_name = "ICD10GM"
 
 
+class ICD10CM(AbstractStandardVocabulary):
+    """
+    ICD10 Clinical Modification
+    """
+
+    system_uri = "http://hl7.org/fhir/sid/icd-10-cm"
+    omop_vocab_name = "ICD10CM"
+
+
 class UCUM(AbstractStandardVocabulary):
     """
     UCUM vocabulary.
@@ -232,6 +241,7 @@ def init(self) -> None:
         self.register(UCUM)
         self.register(ATCDE)
         self.register(ICD10GM)
+        self.register(ICD10CM)
         self.register(CODEXCELIDA)
 
     def register(self, vocabulary: Type[AbstractVocabulary]) -> None:
diff --git a/execution_engine/task/task.py b/execution_engine/task/task.py
index 0968fbda..adcd8451 100644
--- a/execution_engine/task/task.py
+++ b/execution_engine/task/task.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ def get_engine() -> OMOPSQLClient:
     return OMOPSQLClient(
         **get_config().omop.model_dump(by_alias=True),
         timezone=get_config().timezone,
+        null_pool=get_config().multiprocessing_use,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/execution_engine/util/value/value.py b/execution_engine/util/value/value.py
index bc6c8f93..72c892c7 100644
--- a/execution_engine/util/value/value.py
+++ b/execution_engine/util/value/value.py
@@ -314,9 +314,6 @@ class ValueScalar(ValueNumeric[float, None]):
 
     unit: None = None
 
-    _validate_value = field_validator("value", mode="before")(check_int)
-    _validate_value_min = field_validator("value_min", mode="before")(check_int)
-    _validate_value_max = field_validator("value_max", mode="before")(check_int)
     _validate_no_unit = field_validator("unit", mode="before")(check_unit_none)
 
     def supports_units(self) -> bool: