Medical Care Rhode Island

National Guard troops in combat fatigues bathed and fed patients at state-run General Hospital in Cranston, R.I., after scores of nurses and attendants walked out in a contract dispute. The state, citing a law against strikes by state employees, sought a court order forcing workers to return to the 480-bed, mostly long-term-care hospital. Superior Court Judge Antonio S. Almeida said he would rule today.

National Guard troops in combat fatigues bathed and fed patients at state-run General Hospital in Cranston, R.I., after scores of nurses and attendants walked out in a contract dispute. The state, citing a law against strikes by state employees, sought a court order forcing workers to return to the 480-bed, mostly long-term-care hospital. Superior Court Judge Antonio S. Almeida said he would rule today.