Appearance of database

Problem: novice users get confused when the top panel and the bottom tabs are not displaying the same patient. I took away there ability to edit demographics so they would not mess up the files.

We also tried changing the open tab for patient list but then we have 3 or 4 sessions of the database at a time.

Is there anyway to have the top and bottom match at all times and only open 1 instance of the database. Not sure if I am making sense.

What version openemr?
Please describe how user gets to this issue.
Are they opening different patients in new window via patient finder?
How many patients are opened when you start seeing issue?
Does it work okay initially after adding new patient tab and then problem shows up after using for awhile?