Do you think this was handled appropriately? Is there a better way to handle it?

My moms friend fell and shattered her elbow. The hospital required a covid test before they were willing to operate on her (no covid symptoms). She had to wait a week to get the results. They sent her home with a shattered elbow - for a week. They gave her opiate pills to hold her over.

This frustrates me for a few reasons. If they needed a covid test beforehand, then they should get rapid tests, no? So people don’t have to wait around in pain? And what if she was positive for covid? They just let people walk around with shattered bones until they’re not contagious anymore? Is there not a safe way to operate on someone with a contagious illness? And let’s not forget opiates are a huge problem in and of themselves. Now it’s standard protocol for those for broken bones to get opiates and wait a week? Or even longer if they’re positive? This was in Charlotte so maybe it differs based on area.

I just feel like there’s a better way to handle things and yet still be safe at the same time.